Matthew 16 - Introduction

"I Will Build My Church"

Matthew Sixteen

The Pharisees and Sadducees were very much opposed to each other in their conduct and doctrine. However, they joined against Christ to trap Him. They had not been satisfied with the signs that Jesus had given them to prove that He was the Messiah. They desired a sign of their own choosing. No such sign would be given.

The disciples were worried because they forgot to take bread as they went across the lake. Jesus reminded them of the feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000 and how much was left over. When Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" "He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6; Matthew 16:12)

Matthew sixteen contains the Lord's promise to build His church. Matthew is the only Gospel in which the word church appears. Following Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus said, "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)

One purpose set forth in Matthew 16 was to provide a prediction of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew proved beyond doubt the Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. There was also a challenge to give up everything and follow Him. When one follows Jesus he lives a life that is defined by the will and way of God and shaped in the image of the Lord.