Big Idea: Though they have just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the disciples struggle to understand his revelation that he will suffer, die, and be raised, and that they are to follow in his cruciform footsteps.

Understanding the Text

This passage begins a new section, signaled by the formula “From that time on Jesus began to [explain]” (16:21 [as in 4:17]), narrating Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (16:21–20:28). Jesus and his disciples travel from Galilee to Jerusalem, with Jesus teaching the Twelve along the way about his mission and their vocation as his followers. Jesus predicts his impending death and resurrection at 16:21—the first of three such predictions in this section of Matthew (17:22–23; 20:17–19). The focus on discipleship in this section of Matthew includes themes of self-de…