THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 16 - Verse 22

Verse 22. Then Peter took him. This may mean, either to interrupt him, or to take him aside, or to take him by the hand, as a friend. This latter is probably the true meaning. Peter was strongly attached to him. He could not bear to think of his death. He expected, moreover, that he would be the triumphant Messiah. He could not hear, therefore, that his death was so near. In his ardour, and confidence, and strong attachment, he seized him by the hand as a friend, and said, "Be it far from thee." This phrase might have been translated, "God be merciful to thee; this shall not be unto thee." It expressed Peter's strong desire that it might not be. The word rebuke here means to admonish, or earnestly to entreat, as in Lu 17:3. It does not mean that Peter assumed authority over Christ; but that he earnestly expressed his wish that it might not be so. Even this was improper. He should have been submissive, and not have interfered.

{1} "Be it far from them" or, "pity thyself"