The Gospels · Chapter 16 of 28

Matthew 16

Jesus refuses the Pharisees and Sadducees a sign except the sign of Jonah and warns his disciples against their leaven of false teaching. At Caesarea Philippi, Peter confesses him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Jesus promises to build his church. He then foretells his suffering, death, and resurrection, rebukes Peter for opposing it, and calls all who follow him to deny themselves and take up their cross.

What happens in Matthew 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus. He rebukes them for reading the sky but not the signs of the times, granting no sign but that of Jonah. He warns the disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, meaning their false teaching. At Caesarea Philippi he asks who people say the Son of man is, then who they say he is. Peter answers that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus blesses him, saying the Father revealed it, names him Peter, and promises to build his church on this rock so the gates of hell cannot prevail.

Then Jesus begins to reveal that he must suffer, be killed, and rise the third day. Peter rebukes him, and Jesus answers, Get thee behind me, Satan, then calls his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow, for whoever loses his life for his sake will find it.

Matthew 16 in context

This chapter is the great hinge of Matthew's Gospel. Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi marks the decisive turning point where Jesus's true identity is at last openly grasped, and from here Jesus begins to teach plainly about the cross awaiting him in Jerusalem.

The confession and the first passion prediction belong together, for knowing who he really is means facing where he is going.

Main themes of Matthew 16

Matthew 16 (KJV)

1The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. 5And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Verses to carry from Matthew 16

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matthew 16:16

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”Matthew 16:18

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”Matthew 16:24

Reflection

It is not enough to admire Jesus; he asks each of us Peter's question, who do you say that I am. And the same voice that welcomes our confession calls us to follow him to the cross, denying ourselves. That path looks like loss, yet he promises the opposite: whoever loses life for his sake finds it.

A prayer from Matthew 16