Mark 8:32

Peter understood what Jesus had said, but he did not accept it. Peter shared the popular idea that the Messiah was to be a victorious national ruler, so he thought it made no sense for Jesus to talk of suffering and death.

Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again: Jesus now clearly predicted what he had previously revealed in a hidden way (2:19–20). In response, Peter objected, so Jesus taught him and the other disciples the nature of his mission and what it really means to follow him.

Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, God’s chosen king) and the first prediction of his death mark a turning point in the Gospel of Mark. This begins a new stage in his ministry. The question, “Who is this?” asked by the disciples in 4:41, is now answered by Peter.

This section is the first cycle (a repeated pattern) that includes three parts:

• Jesus predicts his suffering (8:31),

• the disciples respond with misunderstanding (8:32–33), and

• Jesus teaches about discipleship (what it means to follow him; 8:34–9:1).

Compare with 9:30–10:31.