Catholic Bible Study – Augustine Institute

Episode: Matthew 16:21–17:13
Date: November 30, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Tim Gray (A), Dr. Michael Barber (B)

Overview:

This episode takes listeners through Matthew 16:21–17:13, focusing on Jesus’ first passion prediction, Peter’s misunderstanding, and the profound episode of the Transfiguration. Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Michael Barber offer theological depth, scriptural connections, and practical applications for living the faith. Using historical, biblical, and spiritual insights, they move from Peter’s confession and stumble, to Daniel’s visions, to how the Transfiguration fulfills Old Testament longings and points to Christian discipleship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter’s Confession and Caesarea Philippi (00:00–04:08)

• Recap: The hosts recall Peter’s pivotal profession: “You are the Messiah, the Christ, the son of the living God,” made before the pagan temple of Caesar Augustus at Caesarea Philippi.
  • Tim Gray: “The most dominant building at that time is a temple built by Herod the Great in honor of Caesar Augustus... when Peter says, ‘you’re the son of the living God,’ living is usually a modifier for the true God of Israel versus the gods of the nations. Who are idols.” (01:05)
• Contrast: Peter’s proclamation contrasts Jesus, son of the living God, with Caesar, “the son of a dead god.”
• Typology: Tim draws parallels between Peter as “Bar Jonah” and the prophet Jonah: both bring the message of God to Gentile nations (Nineveh/Rome).
  • “Peter will now be a Bar Jonah... He will proclaim the gospel there, and eventually Rome converts, just like Nineveh.” (03:30)

2. Peter and Caiaphas: Parallel Confessions (04:09–05:25)

• Michael Barber notes a scriptural parallel between Peter’s confession and the high priest Caiaphas’ interrogation of Jesus:
  • “Caiaphas looks at Jesus and says, 'I adjure you by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' That is virtually the same thing you see in Matthew 16 with Peter’s confession.” (04:18)

3. First Passion Prediction & Peter’s Rebuke (05:25–11:12)

• Jesus predicts His suffering and resurrection for the first time:
  • “From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things ... and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (06:02)
• Peter’s Human Reaction: Peter rebukes Jesus (“Far be it from you, Lord. This shall never happen to you.”)
  • Michael: Peter’s authority cannot override God’s will:
    • “That authority cannot override the will of the Lord, cannot overturn God’s will.” (07:19)
• Imperfection of Leaders: Tim emphasizes the humanity of Peter and the popes:
  • “Peter is the first pope and... now he’s going to stumble right out of the gates... We have to have a perspective on the popes... They’re human and they make mistakes.” (07:24)
• Why Rebuke is “Get Behind Me, Satan”:
  • Jesus’ strong response is explained as a call to proper discipleship:
    • “Jesus is saying, Peter, you got a great new office, but remember, you’re following me... get behind me so that you can follow me.” (08:54)
  • Michael: “Peter is playing the role of the adversary... the kind of rock that [Jesus would] trip over. Don’t be that, Peter.” (10:25)

4. Son of Man Imagery and Daniel 7 (11:22–15:40)

• Michael connects Jesus’ “Son of Man” title and passion predictions to Daniel 7:
  • “In Daniel 7, there’s a figure who is described as one like a Son of Man… the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever.” (12:27)
• Suffering of the Saints: Daniel’s prophecy includes the saints suffering before vindication, paralleling Jesus’ predictions and explaining the costs of discipleship:
  • “Jesus is the Son of Man. And who is the Son of Man? He represents the saints who suffer. If you want to belong to the Son of Man, you’re going to have to suffer.” (14:38)
• Practical Application:
  • Tim: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me... If we’re going to be Christian, we’re going to have to become cruciform.” (15:12)

5. Discipleship: Losing Life to Find It (15:41–16:32)

• The Paradox of Christianity:
  • Michael highlights a favorite passage:
    • “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (15:48)
  • This aligns with the self-giving nature of the Trinity, as persons find fulfillment in self-gift.

6. The Transfiguration (16:32–24:47)

• Setting: Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to ascend the “high mountain,” traditionally Mount Tabor.
  • Tim describes the serene, prayerful atmosphere of Mount Tabor as meaningful context.
• Transfigured Glory:
  • “He was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” (18:45)
  • Michael connects this radiance to Daniel 7 and Daniel 12—Jesus as both divine and exemplar for the saints.
• Moses and Elijah’s Appearance:
  • Symbolize the Law and the Prophets and, deeper still, represent figures who sought to see God’s face on mountains but were previously denied this fullness.
  • Michael: “Here they get to see the face of God. So what they longed for.” (20:23)
• Moses’ Fulfillment:
  • Tim: “He longed to enter the Promised Land and never did. And now, he’s back in the Promised Land... Moses’ great longing to see the face of God... are finally fulfilled in this moment.” (21:07)
• Parallel to Exodus:
  • Michael lays out numerous parallels between the Transfiguration and Mount Sinai events (Exodus 19–24): both involve a mountain, a cloud, glory, and God’s voice. (21:51–22:25)
  • The priestly significance of three companions echoes the priestly figures in Exodus.

7. The Divine Affirmation (Voice from the Cloud) (24:00–24:47)

• The Father speaks:
  • “A voice from the cloud: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.’” (23:40)
• Layers of Old Testament Allusion:
  • Tim: “That alludes to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 42:1... 'listen to Him' goes back to Deuteronomy 18:18... So you get the law and the prophets in a double way here again.” (24:04)

8. Transfiguration as Consolation and Revelation (24:47–28:05)

• Consolation of the Disciples:
  • Michael: “The scene of the transfiguration... now it consoles [Peter], right? Yes, he’s going to suffer... but look, he really is the one that you believe he is.” (24:49)
• Jesus the New Law:
  • Tim: The new Sinai/theophany at Mount Tabor signals a new revelation:
    • “There’s a new Sinai, there’s a new revelation, and there’s a new law, and that new law is a person, Jesus Christ... Jesus is the new Torah, the law of God embodied.” (26:21)
  • Michael: “The Torah is God’s revelation to his people. And now what we discover is God is making the fullness of revelation known in the person of Jesus.” (27:13)

9. Descent from the Mountain and Christian Mission (27:38–28:13)

• After the vision, only Jesus remains with the disciples; they must descend into the world, foreshadowed by the chaos post-Sinai.
• Tim emphasizes carrying the cross and remaining steadfast despite the world's opposition:
  • “If we don’t bear the cross of Jesus Christ, we can’t be followers of Jesus Christ.” (28:13)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Peter’s office and limitations:
  • "Yes, Peter and his successors have the authority to bind and loose, but that authority cannot override the will of the Lord." (07:19, Michael Barber)
• Jesus’ rebuke of Peter:
  • "Jesus is saying, Peter, you got a great new office, but remember, you’re following me. So he’s reminding him, ... get behind me so that you can follow me." (08:54, Tim Gray)
• Discipleship and the Cross:
  • "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." (15:12, Tim Gray)
  • "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (15:48, Michael Barber)
• The self-gift of the Trinity:
  • "Persons find themselves in giving themselves away." (16:15, Michael Barber)
• The core of Christian revelation:
  • “Jesus is the new Torah, the law of God embodied.” (26:57, Tim Gray)
• Encouragement to embrace Christian suffering:
  • "Sometimes being a Christian means we’re going to have that suffering... But don’t be discouraged by that, because in the end, God will bring justice and vindication to his righteous ones." (28:13, Tim Gray)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Peter’s Confession and Context: 00:00–04:08
• Parallel between Peter and Caiaphas: 04:09–05:25
• First Passion Prediction & Peter’s Rebuke: 05:25–11:12
• Interpretation of “Get Behind Me, Satan”: 08:54–11:12
• Daniel 7 and the Son of Man: 11:22–15:40
• Discipleship: Losing Life to Find It: 15:41–16:32
• Transfiguration—Setting & Meaning: 16:32–24:47
• Divine Affirmation (Voice from Cloud): 24:00–24:47
• Transfiguration—Consolation & New Law: 24:47–28:05
• Closing Reflections: 28:13-end

Summary Table

| SEGMENT | TIME RANGE | HIGHLIGHTS | |-----------------------|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Peter’s Confession | 00:00–04:08 | “Son of the living God”; Contrast to Caesar | | Peter/Caiaphas Parallel | 04:09–05:25 | Affirms Messianic title and priestly parallels | | First Passion Prediction | 05:25–11:12 | “Far be it from you, Lord”; Papal imperfection, discipleship | | Daniel 7/Son of Man | 11:22–15:40 | Suffering, vindication, cost of following Christ | | Discipleship Paradoxes| 15:41–16:32 | “Lose life to find it”; Trinitarian self-gift | | Transfiguration | 16:32–24:47 | Jesus’ divinity; Moses and Elijah; fulfillment of Law/Prophets| | Divine Voice & Consolation | 24:00–28:05 | “Listen to Him”; Transfiguration as reassurance and new law | | Living the Cross | 28:13–end | Suffering, hope, and Christian witness |

Tone & Language

The hosts combine scholarly rigor with accessible explanations, personal stories, and pastoral encouragement. The tone is thoughtful, reverent, and occasionally lighthearted, especially when making connections or playful biblical references.

For Those Who Haven’t Listened

This episode richly unpacks how Peter’s highs and lows, Jesus’ identity as Son of Man, and the glory revealed in the Transfiguration fulfill prophecies, reveal Christ’s mission, and offer a pattern for Christian life—a call to “lose oneself” to find true life, to bear the cross, and to keep Jesus as the center and goal, as both law and love incarnate.