Verses 1-4
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It is hypocritical to pretend to be spiritual, but yet only seek skill and knowledge in matters of this earth. Don't ignore the Word.
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Seek knowledge and discernment with the Word and the Spirit, not just skill in earthly matters.
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God doesn't give signs and wonders to those who demand them. He cannot be tempted. See teaching for Matthew 12:38-42 for additional details.
Verses 5-12
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When the disciples were focused on and worried about natural things (like a lack of food), they could not understand the spiritual truth of what Jesus was speaking to them.
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They should not have been concerned about a lack of bread, because they had just witnessed Jesus create food out of thin air twice!
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When we lack faith, we worry about lack. And worrying about natural things clouds the mind and makes it difficult to understand spiritual things.
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Build up your faith in prayer, don't allow yourself to worry, and your mind will think more clearly; you'll be able to understand the Word better.
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Verses 13-17, 20
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People have different opinions about Jesus. But knowing the truth—that Jesus is the Son of the living God—is not man's opinion, nor is it an idea that comes from man.
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Anyone who sees that Jesus is the Son of God has had that truth revealed to them by God.
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We, as humans, can't make anyone see who Jesus is. Only God can grant that revelation.
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So, don't try to force or push people to accept the truth. Don't share it is they're not ready to hear it.
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Give people time and patience, pray for people, and let God reveal the truth to them.
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Verse 18
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This passage has two meanings. The first is that the “rock” is the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God. Our faith stands on that one foundation.
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The church, made up of believers, is built up on that foundation.
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Secondly, Simon's name was changed to rock (Peter means rock), indicating that he would be a foundational leader for the church, alongside the other apostles (see Ephesians 2:20).
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In addition to the central truth of Christ as God's Son, our beliefs are built on the teachings of the apostles, which is the New Testament.
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Therefore, any church that holds to the faith that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again, and that clings to the teachings of the Word, is a well-founded church that the devil cannot defeat. Be a part of a church like that!
Verse 19
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This passage also has two meanings.
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The first is that the twelve apostles were given a unique authority to create decrees on earth (allowing or forbidding—loosing or binding) that then became the Word of God from heaven—our Bibles. That is unique to them.
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The second applies to us today. Our actions here on earth have an effect in the heavenly realm. Our actions are like a key to lock or unlock things.
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For example, through the name of Jesus, we have the permission to take actions that brings miracles.
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God can use our faith to perform healings. We might loose a prayer for the sick, and God looses a healing from heaven.
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So take actions in obedience to the Word, and heaven will back you up. Praying for others is a great thing to do to practice this!
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A final point: Be careful about what you bind!
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Many people say that they bind the devil, or demons, when they pray, to try to rebuke the devil. This is actually a counterintuitive action.
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If you say that you “bind the devil”, you are only telling the devil to stay in your life. Why? To bind is to prevent from moving. If you bind the devil, while he's doing evil in your life, you're telling him not to move, and he'll just keep doing the same thing. You're just playing the devil's game there.
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If you're going to bind properly, say, “I bind you to the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of the Father and the Son.” This removes Satan from your plane here on earth, and places him where he can't hurt anyone.
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Verses 21-23
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Just a moment ago Peter was commended for receiving revelation from God. And now he is being rebuked for being influenced by the devil.
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The point is that, if we're not careful, anyone can be influenced by Satan, and at any time.
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Also keep in mind that, As Jesus said about Satan, it is a snare to be mindful only of human thoughts and opinions. In order to know how to think or act, focus on what matters to God, not merely what matters to people.
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Don't ever think you're immune to the devil just because you seem to be doing well.
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Also, be careful not to speak out of impulse or emotion, as the enemy uses those moments easily.
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In addition, Jesus spoke to Peter harshly in order to teach him something. Peter was often forceful and unyielding. He needed to learn to be submissive.
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Jesus rebuked him so harshly to show him what it feels like to be on the other side—to have to submit and be treated harshly. This helped to give Peter a godly fear of being domineering or acting without love.
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Understand that harsh words, with purpose, to a harsh person can be of benefitto them, in order to show them what it's like to be on the receiving end of mistreatment.
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So long as you do it out of love and self-control, you can use harsh words when necessary.
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Verses 24-28
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In order to be saved, we can't merely say that Jesus is our Lord. To be believer:
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Give up living for yourself (deny yourself)
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Be willing to suffer for Jesus (take up your cross)
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Follow Jesus' example and teaching (follow Me)
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These are necessary, to be saved, because if you want to keep your life here, you show that you don't value eternal life. In eternal life, in heaven, we don't get to keep anything we have here on earth (1 Timothy 6:7).
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Understand that nothing about your life is more precious that your own soul, and nothing is more critical than whether your soul goes to heaven or hell. Value eternal life more than earthly life!
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