Jesus asked his disciplines who the crowds think Jesus is. They replied that the crowds Jesus is one of the prophets, John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another one. This might explain why Herod thinks Jesus is John the Baptist - he may have heard a report from someone that John the Baptist had come back from the dead.
It is also interesting that all of the answers suggest a resurrection of the prophets. I don't know of any precedent in the Old Testament for that theology except to say that Elijah never "died", so it is possible he came back.
Regardless, if Jesus was actually one of these other prophets, then the crowds should be listening to him. At this point, the crowds are listening to him, but the Pharisees and Sadducees are not.
Jesus asks the disciples who they think Jesus is. Peter responds that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus blesses Peter for this because it was only revealed to Peter by God. Then, Jesus declares that on Peter the rock will the church be built. Jesus also mentions that Peter will have the keys to the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven.
A few other things:
1. This is a demonstration that faith comes from God.
2. This news must have taken Peter off guard.
3. Peter has definitely already stood out from all the other disciples. The walking on water was probably an important part of this. Peter also chimes in quickly when Jesus asks a question. Jesus can see Peter has greater faith than all the other disciples.
4. The "keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" is written about in Matthew, but not Mark. Matthew, the tax collector, was probably on the boat so he would have heard this first hand. Matthew's inclusion of it implies humility on his part (if we assume that the Gospel of Matthew was written by the disciple Matthew)
However, it is interesting that the statement is not in Mark, which is believed to be the account of Peter.
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