They were so moved that no one was able to utter a word.  Jesus continued: 

“I shall go down again to Galilee, but I shall find there no stone on which to rest My head in peace.  All who are with Me will be persecuted for My sake.  I shall go along the Jordan to Judaea, and up to Jerusalem, where My most powerful enemies are.  I shall confront them and pronounce judgment on them.  My words will pierce them, but My flesh will be in their power.  I shall suffer shame and disgrace and a contemptible death.  That will happen in a short time.  Will you still stay with Me?  Whence is your trust derived?  Who do you think I am?”

Simon jumped up from the ground, and exclaimed loudly and clearly:  “You are Jesus the Christ!  You are the Son of the living God!”

* * * * * *

Solemnly it sounded forth to all eternity:  Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

He stood up straight.  Was there not a light round His head?  Did not the sky grow bright?  The men’s eyes were dazzled so that they were obliged to shade them with their hands in order not to be blinded.  A sound came out of the light, a voice was heard:  “He is My Son!  He is My beloved Son!” They were beside themselves; their bodies were lifeless, for their souls were in the heights.  Then Jesus came down to them out of the light.  His countenance had a strange look; something extraordinary had passed over Him.  With outstretched arms He came slowly towards the disciples:  “Simon!  Did you say that of yourself?  It was surely an inspiration from above.  Such a faith is the foundation of the Kingdom of God; henceforth, then, you shall be named Peter, the rock.  I will found My community upon you, and what you do on earth in My name will hold good in heaven above.”

Simon looked round him.  “What?” he thought in the secret recesses of his heart, “am I raised above the others?  Are none of the brothers equal to me?  That is because I am humble.”  Jesus turned to them all, and said:  “Prepare yourselves, be strong; evil times are approaching.  They will kill Me.”

As He said that, Simon Peter grasped His arm with both his hands, and exclaimed passionately:  “In the name of God, Master, that shall not happen.”

Upon which Jesus said quickly and severely:  “Get behind me, Satan!”

They looked round them.  What a sudden change!  For whom were the hard words meant?  Simon knew; he went down and hid himself behind the young cedars.  There he wept and shook with grief.

“John, He hates me!” muttered the disciple, and hid his face in his young companion’s gown, for John had gone to comfort him.  “John!  It was my pride.  He sees our thoughts.  He hates me!”