the purity his teacher does. For a short while he appears to succeed, proving that he above all the other followers has the courage to follow and the faith to see him through. Yet the fears of a mortal man keep him from attaining the faith that Jesus has secured. His life still is at risk and God seems so abstract when you are inch away from drowning. By leaving this story out, it appears Mark does not want to acknowledge something about the story. Perhaps he believes that Jesus and Jesus alone can accomplish such miracles and that the story undermines his power as the savior. Or the story could paint Peter as weak and without faith in some readers' eyes and Mark may wish to save Peter from that humiliation. Nevertheless, it creates an important parable for any follower of Jesus, comparing man's fears and material connections to Jesus' lack of self, while also creating a better picture of Peter himself.The most interesting difference in the two stories is found in Peter's confession, in both Matthew 16.13 and Mark 8.30. When Jesus asks his disciples " 'Who do you say I am?'" in Mt. 16.15, it is Peter who answers. In Mark he simply says, " 'You are the Messiah'", but in Matthew he adds, " '…the Son of the living God'"(Mt. 16.16). Perhaps this addition is just added to define Jesus' role and add an extra punch to the statement. Mark, who is more interested in telling the story as laconic as possible, may have found this bit unimportant. Yet it is Jesus' next speech which is so vital to the portrayal of Peter that Mark completely leaves out. Jesus continues in praise:" 'Blessed are you, Simon,son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has notrevealed this to you, but my father in heaven. And I will tell you, you are Peter,and the gates of Hades will not prevailagainst it. I will give you the keys ofthe kingdom of heaven, and whateveryou bind on earth will be bound in heav-en, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in h...
