Matthew 16:1-28

Matthew’s Good News

Matthew’s *Gospel

Hilda Bright

Chapter 16

The *Jewish leaders ask for a *miracle 16:1-4

v1 Some *Pharisees and some *Sadducees came to Jesus. They wanted to test him. So they asked him to show them some evidence from heaven.

v2 Jesus replied to them. ‘When evening comes you say, “The sky is red, so the weather will be fair.” v3 In the morning you say, “The weather will be stormy, because the sky is red and cloudy.” You can interpret what you see in the sky. And then you know what the weather will be like. But you cannot interpret what you see now. v4 You are a wicked nation that does not believe God. So you look for an extraordinary sign. But the only *miracle that you will see is what happened to Jonah.’ Then Jesus left them and he went away.

Verse 1 Both the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees were important people, but they had different ideas. The *Pharisees believed God’s *Law, but they added many other rules from their own *traditions. But the *Sadducees refused to accept them. The *Pharisees believed that people would live again after death. But the *Sadducees denied any life after death. Many *Pharisees hated what Jesus taught. He was not a *Pharisee. So they thought that he should not be teaching the people. The *Sadducees did not like Jesus either, but they had a political reason. They saw Jesus’ actions and they knew that he was popular. The *Sadducees were afraid that this would cause trouble with the *Romans. Then they would lose their authority. They only had authority because they worked with the *Romans. So both the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees opposed Jesus. They wanted him to show them a sign. They wanted to see a *miracle. Perhaps they wanted to hear God speak from heaven. Or perhaps they wanted to see wonderful events connected with the sun or moon. Jesus had already refused to do something that would astonish people (Matthew 4:5-7).

Verses 2-3 Jesus said that they knew how to interpret the evidence in the sky for good and bad weather. But they could not interpret what they saw was happening now. This word ‘now’ is the *Greek word ‘kairos’. It means the ‘right time’. People had the opportunity to follow Jesus. They had seen his *miracles already. They did not need more evidence. But they had refused to see what the *miracles meant.

Verse 4 God sent Jonah with a message to the people who lived in Nineveh. He gave the message that saved Nineveh’s people from God’s judgement. When Jonah told the people God’s message, they believed him. So they changed the way that they behaved. And so God forgave them and he did not destroy them. The sign was in the way that Jesus behaved. His message was a sign too. Also, his *burial and *resurrection was like the time that Jonah spent in the huge fish. (See Matthew 12:39-40.) But the *religious leaders refused to believe this. They refused to believe Jesus’ message about heaven where God rules. So Israel’s people opposed the *Romans, and the *Romans destroyed their city, Jerusalem, in *AD 70.

What the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees taught 16:5-12

v5 The *disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake in a boat with Jesus. They had forgotten to take any bread with them. v6 ‘Be careful’, Jesus said to them. ‘Be careful about the *yeast of the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees.’

v7 The *disciples talked about this among themselves. ‘He said that because we did not bring any bread with us’, they said to each other.

v8 Jesus knew what they were saying. ‘You do not believe me very much’, he said to them. ‘You should not say to each other that you have no bread. v9 You do not understand about me yet. Remember the 5 loaves that fed 5000 people. Remember how many baskets full of pieces that you collected. v10 Remember the 7 loaves that fed 4000 people. And remember how many baskets full of pieces that you collected then. v11 You must understand now that I was not talking about bread. But be careful about the *yeast of the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees.’

v12 Then the *disciples understood. Jesus was not telling them to be careful about the *yeast in the bread. He was warning them about what the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees taught.

Verses 6-7 ‘*Yeast’ is something that grows. People put *yeast into flour and water to make bread. It makes the mixture grow bigger. Only a very small amount of *yeast is necessary. The *disciples immediately thought about bread when Jesus mentioned *yeast. So they were very worried that they had not brought any bread with them.

Verses 8-10 Jesus reminded them that he had fed 5000 men one day and 4000 men another day. He had started with very little bread, but there had been plenty. And there were lots of pieces of bread that they collected afterwards. So if they trusted him, they did not need to worry about bread.

Verses 11-12 The *disciples at last realised that Jesus was not talking about actual bread. In the local language, ‘*yeast’ sometimes referred to an evil way to persuade other people. Jesus was warning them not to listen to the *Pharisees and the *Sadducees. Their teaching could change the way that the *disciples thought.

The *Pharisees had the wrong idea about religion. They thought that people just had to obey a set of rules. But the *disciples must not think that God’s way was only rules and ceremonies.

The *Sadducees were rich. And they thought that political action would help God. They thought that God could rule through them. But Jesus did not want the *disciples to believe that possessions are very important. And they must not think that political effort would make God rule on the earth.

The *disciples should not be like either the *Pharisees or the *Sadducees. The *disciples should encourage people to change their inner attitudes to God and to other people. This was the most important thing.

Peter declares that Jesus is the *Messiah 16:13-20

v13 Jesus went to the Caesarea Philippi region. There he asked his *disciples, ‘I am the Son of Man. Who do people say that I am?’

v14 ‘Some people say that you are John the *Baptist’, they replied. ‘Other people say Elijah, or Jeremiah, or another one of God’s special servants that lived long ago.’

v15 ‘But what about you?’ Jesus asked them. ‘Who do you say that I am?’

v16 Simon Peter answered him. ‘You are the Christ. God is alive, and you are God’s Son’, he said.

v17 Then Jesus replied to him. ‘Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man!’ he said. ‘No person on earth could have showed this to you. It was my Father in heaven who showed this to you. v18 I tell you that you are Peter. And that name means ‘a rock’. On this rock I will build my *church. And the powers of death will never be strong enough to destroy it. v19 I will give you the keys to the *kingdom of heaven. And whatever you lock on earth, God will lock in heaven. And whatever you unlock on earth, God will unlock in heaven.

v20 Then Jesus warned his *disciples not to tell anyone that he was the *Messiah.

Verse 13 Caesarea Philippi was a town about 25 miles to the north-east from the sea of Galilee. It was in the area that Philip, Herod’s son, ruled. He named the place ‘Caesar’s town’ and added his own name. Philippi means ‘belongs to Philip’. This showed that this town was distinct from the town called Caesarea on the coast. The river Jordan began in the Caesarea Philippi region. And there were many places where people *worshipped their own gods in that area. Jesus asked whether his *disciples understood who he was. First, he asked them what other people were saying about him.

Verse 14 The *disciples gave four answers. They were all people who were dead.

1. John the *Baptist. Herod had been afraid that Jesus was John. Herod had been responsible for John’s death (Matthew 14:2). But he thought that John had come back to life again.

2. Elijah. The *Jews believed that Elijah would return. He would prepare the way for the *Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6).

3. Jeremiah. He had suffered because he spoke God’s true message to the people. He had spoken of a new agreement that God would make with his people.

4. Another one of God’s special servants from long ago.

Verse 15 Someone can know what other people think about Jesus. But this is not enough. Everyone must think about Jesus for themselves. So Jesus asked the *disciples, ‘What do you think about me?’ Jesus asks each person that same question today.

Verses 16-17 ‘Christ’ is the *Greek word for the *Hebrew word ‘*Messiah’. Before this, the *disciples may have thought that Jesus could be the *Messiah (John 1:41). Now they had heard what he taught. They had seen his *miracles. And Peter had become sure that Jesus was the *Messiah. But Peter did not understand this by himself. Jesus said that God had shown Peter the truth.

Verses 18 The name ‘Peter’ means ‘rock’. In the *Old Testament, the word ‘rock’ often describes the security that God gives to his people. For example, ‘The *Lord is my rock’ (2 Samuel 22:2). Jesus used the word ‘rock’ or Peter as a name for Simon (John 1:43). There are several ways to explain what Jesus may have meant here.

1. The rock is Jesus himself. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul calls Jesus the ‘chief stone’ (the most important part) in God’s building.

2. The ‘rock’ refers to what Peter said. He believed that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son. Everyone who can say the same thing is like a stone in God’s building (1 Peter 2:4-8). They are the ‘*church’. The *Greek word for *church does not refer to a building or to a particular organisation. It refers to all the people who believe in Jesus. They realise that he is God’s Son.

3. Peter himself is like the first rock in God’s building. Jesus is the true foundation. And God’s building is the *church. But Peter was the first person to declare that he believed Jesus. And Peter became a leader and teacher in the *church. He was the first to speak to the crowds at *Pentecost about Jesus, the *Messiah. 3000 people became Christians that day (Acts 2). Later, he had a dream when he was staying at Joppa. As a result, people who were not *Jews believed. And Peter gave them a welcome into the *church (Acts 10:1–11:18). He supported the believers who were not *Jews at the *Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Peter’s authority was not his alone. God’s special servants and the men that Jesus sent out were also the foundation of the *church (Ephesians 2:20).

Nothing would be able to destroy the *church. The *Greek words here mean ‘the gates to Hades’. And ‘Hades’ was the place where dead people go. The *Jews thought that it was a place with gates. Death was not strong enough to shut Jesus in Hades (Acts 2:27; Psalms 16:9-10). The *church too is stronger than death, so nothing can destroy the *church. People may attack and kill Christians. But the whole *church does not die. Instead, it becomes stronger.

Verse 19 Keys are a sign of authority. Jesus said, ‘I am alive. I was dead, but now I am alive again. And I hold the keys to death and Hades’ (Revelation 1:18). In Isaiah’s time, Eliakim was a servant who had a responsible job. He had to open and shut the door (Isaiah 22:22). Peter was like that servant. He ‘opened the door’ to God for thousands of people. They became part of God’s stones in his building. Every Christian has the same duty. He or she must show people the way to God. Peter guided the *church. He taught Christians how to behave in the right way. This was an honour and a responsibility. Peter shared this authority with other members of the *church (Matthew 18:18).

Verse 20 The *disciples now knew that Jesus was the *Messiah. But he told them not to spread the news. He did not want people to begin a fight against the *Romans. He wanted to teach his *disciples that he would suffer. They needed to know that he would die.

Jesus speaks about his death 16:21-23

v21 From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his *disciples what would happen to him. ‘I must go to Jerusalem’, he told them. ‘There, our nation’s leaders, and the chief *priests and the men who teach the *Law will cause me to suffer many things. They will kill me. But on the third day I will be alive again.’

v22 Peter took Jesus to one side and began to talk to him. ‘Never, *Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you.’

v23 Jesus turned and spoke to Peter. ‘Get away from me, *Satan!’ Jesus said. ‘You are a like a block in my way because you are thinking only human thoughts. You do not understand how God’s thinks!’

Verse 21 Jesus had to suffer and to die. The word ‘must’ shows that Jesus knew that this was God’s purpose for him. But this was the first time that Jesus spoke clearly to his *disciples about it.

Verses 22-23 Peter replied in a very natural, human way. But Jesus realised that it was a test. He must not become this different kind of *Messiah. It was like the test that *Satan had used (Matthew 4:8-10). So he told *Satan to go away. But he said the words, ‘Get away from me, *Satan’ to Peter as well. Peter did not realise the meaning of what he said to Jesus. But he was trying to persuade Jesus to go *Satan’s way. So Peter must get away from Jesus for the moment. He must learn to follow what Jesus decided. Peter must not follow his own human ideas.

How to follow Jesus 16:24-28

v24 Then Jesus spoke to all the *disciples. ‘If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must carry his *cross and he must follow me. v25 If he wants to save his own life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will find life. v26 Someone may gain everything that is in the whole world. But that is no good to him if he loses his life. There is nothing that anyone can exchange for his or her life. v27 The *Son of Man is going to come soon in the very bright light from his Father. His servants from heaven will come with him. And he will reward every person for what each one has done. v28 I tell you the truth. There are some people who are standing here. They will see the Son of Man as he comes in his *kingdom. They will not die before they see that.

Verse 24 A *disciple must refuse to obey his own selfish desires. The *Romans killed criminals by fixing them with nails onto wooden beams in the shape of a cross. They made the criminals carry their wooden beams. Then they fixed them on the *crosses so that they would die outside the town. Jesus used this picture to teach his *disciples. They must obey him, even if people punish them. They must be loyal to him, even when it is very difficult.

Verses 25-26 People must choose. They can live their lives in their own way, or they can give up their own ambitions. They may suffer and even die with Jesus. But those people will find real life. People may gain everything that the world offers. They may have great wealth, power or fame. But it all has no value if they lose their real life. Jesus means life that will continue for ever with God.

Verse 27 Everyone will have to give an account to God for the way that they have lived their life. They must do this when Jesus returns to earth in the bright light from his Father.

Verse 28 People understand this promise in three ways:

1. Jesus would return with his servants from heaven while some of the original *disciples were still alive. But Jesus said that nobody knew when the end of the age would come. Only the Father knew when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36).

2. Jesus was speaking about when he would change his whole appearance. But this change happened only one week later (Matthew 17).

Many years afterwards, in 2 Peter 1:16-18, Peter wrote about the *Lord Jesus Christ, his power and the fact that he will return. Peter, James and John were there when Jesus’ appearance changed. They had seen him shine like the sun. But Peter was still expecting him to return to earth again.

3. After Jesus died, he became alive again. Later he returned to his Father in heaven, and then the *disciples received the power of the *Holy Spirit. Very many people became Christians. Then the *disciples were able to see the change when Jesus is king in people’s lives. They saw God’s greatness and power at work in the world.

gospel ~ 1. good news; 2. one of the first four books in the New Testament.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
miracle ~ a great thing that only God can do.
Pharisee ~ one of a group of Jews who thought that they obeyed all God’s rules. They did not like the things that Jesus taught. They thought that they did not do any wrong things. So, they thought that they were very important and clever.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Sadducee ~ one of a group of Jews who did not believe in heaven and resurrection; an important group of Jews at the time of Jesus. They only used the five books at the beginning of the Old Testament. They believed that people would not live again after death.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
resurrection ~ when someone comes back to life again.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before the life of Jesus.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Law ~ the rules that God gave to Moses for the Jews.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
traditions ~ usual beliefs that pass from person to person.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that time. That which belonged to Rome was Roman.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus.
burial ~ when you put a dead body in a grave.
resurrection ~ when someone comes back to life again.
religious ~ something that people do as part of the worship of God.
worship ~ show honour to God, usually with other people.
AD ~ after the date when Jesus was born.
disciples ~ those who follow another person to learn from him.
yeast ~ people put yeast into flour and water in order to make bread. The yeast grows in the bread and it makes the bread bigger. It spreads through all the bread, so Jesus compared it with other things that spread.
yeast ~ people put yeast into flour and water in order to make bread. The yeast grows in the bread and it makes the bread bigger. It spreads through all the bread, so Jesus compared it with other things that spread.
Messiah ~ the Jews' word for the king who would come and rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Baptist ~ someone who baptises people.
baptise ~ to put a person under water or put water on a person to show that they want to follow Christ.
church ~ a group of Christians who meet together. A church is not just the building that they meet in. It can also mean all the Christians in the world.
kingdom ~ people or place that a king rules; or people that God rules.
worship ~ show honour to God, usually with other people.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Hebrew ~ the language that the Jews wrote the Old Testament in.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before the life of Jesus.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.

'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before the life of Jesus.
Lord ~ master; a name that we call God or Jesus; we call God or Jesus Lord when we obey them.
Pentecost ~ 1. the time when the Jews thank God for their food; 2. the time when God gave the Holy Spirit to the church.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
holy ~ all good with no bad in it; separate from sin.
church ~ a group of Christians who meet together. A church is not just the building that they meet in. It can also mean all the Christians in the world.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
sin ~ when we do not obey God's commands.
Council ~ important men who meet together to discuss and decide events.
priest ~ a man whom God chose to do a special work for him. The priests worked in the Temple.
Temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
worship ~ show honour to God, usually with other people.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Satan ~ the chief evil spirit.
spirit ~ the part of us that lives when our body dies; a being that is alive, even without a body; the part of a person that will always be alive, even after their body is dead. There are good spirits, like God’s Spirit and his angels. And there are bad spirits, like Satan and his angels.
being ~ a person or animal that is alive.
angels ~ God's special messengers.
messenger ~ a person who gives a message.
cross ~ two pieces of wood that someone has fixed together in the shape of a cross.'Son of Man ~ a name that Jesus called himself. see Daniel 8:17.
holy ~ all good with no bad in it; separate from sin.
sin ~ when we do not obey God's commands.