1. Matthieu 16:17 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

In what sense was Jesus not revealed to Peter by flesh and blood?

Matthew (Matthieu) 16:17 (ESV)

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

En bref

Three views of the meaning of Jesus not being revealed to Peter by flesh and blood:

  1. Flesh and blood is a Jewish expression that means being human, as opposed to being divine, meaning that Jesus was revealed to Peter by God.

  2. The revelation was not from flesh and blood: either Peter’s blood relatives or the Jewish people (see also Galatians 1:16), which is seen in the word people (Matthew 16:13). Such flesh and blood can distract one from the knowledge of God’s Son. Peter’s confession shows how faith is a gift of God, who opens eyes and hearts to the Light of the world, among a people (flesh and blood), whose eyes are closed to it.

  3. The phrase Flesh and blood in Matthew 16:17 refers to man in his physical aspect. This refers to the natural man, in whom nothing supernatural has yet taken place. This meaning can be seen in other places using the same expression (1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 1:16–24; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14). We could say that as Simon bar Jona, he is flesh and blood, but as Peter, he is the one who has received grace. It is also significant that Jesus here stresses that the God who revealed this truth to Peter is his Father. That Father knows who Jesus is, and he alone has the authority to declare it (see Matthew 11:27)

Interpretation 1:

Flesh and blood is a Jewish expression that signifies being human as opposed to being divine, meaning that Jesus was revealed to Peter by God (Bette, page 385).

Interpretation 2:

The revelation did not come from flesh and blood, meaning Peter’s blood relatives, the Jewish people (see also Galatians 1:16). Peter did not receive this revelation from his own people or his family. This is apparent from the use of the word people (Matthew 16:13). Those people are Peter’s flesh and blood, his relatives, and his fellow citizens. They constitute distractions away from the appearance of God’s Son. The situation of this moment confirms that faith is a gift of God, who opens eyes and hearts to the Light of the world. And he does this in the midst of a people (flesh and blood), who have chosen to keep their eyes closed to it.1

Interpretation 3:

The phrase Flesh and blood here in Matthew 16:17 is a clear expression referring to man in his physical aspect—the material side of human nature. Yet mere matter cannot speak or act, which is to say, the phrase flesh and blood here in Matthew 16:17 does not exclude the spiritual dimension but refers to the natural man, the human being in whom nothing supernatural has yet taken place. This meaning is also confirmed by other passages where the same expression is used (1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 1:16–24; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14).
Perhaps we could say that as Simon bar Jona, the apostle is flesh and blood; as Peter, however, he is the one who has received grace. It is also significant that Jesus here highlights that the God who revealed this truth to Peter is his Father. That Father knows who Jesus is, and he alone has the authority to declare it (see Matthew 11:27).2