BOOK 40 OF 66 · GOSPELS · KING JAMES BIBLE

Matthew 16

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Matthew 16 Overview

Religious leaders demand a sign, but Jesus warns about their leaven. At Caesarea Philippi Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God; Jesus speaks of building His church and gives kingdom keys. Jesus then begins plainly predicting His death and resurrection, rebukes Peter for opposing the cross, and calls disciples to deny themselves and follow Him.

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Before you read Matthew 16

Coming from

Matthew 15 established the immediate context: Jesus confronts Pharisees and scribes for elevating tradition above God’s command, teaching that defilement proceeds from the heart rather than merely from external contact.

In this chapter

Matthew 16 is a major turning point from recognition of Jesus’ identity to the necessity of the cross and the cost of discipleship.

Leads into

Matthew 17 continues the account: Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John; Moses and Elijah appear, and the Father again identifies Jesus as His beloved Son and commands the disciples to hear Him.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Peter’s confession is revealed by the Father and becomes the context for Jesus’ promise concerning His church. Interpretations of the rock differ, but the passage unquestionably centers the church on Jesus’ messianic identity and divine action.

Taking up the cross is discipleship language spoken to followers after Peter has confessed Christ. It must not be turned into a requirement to suffer enough in order to receive eternal life.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Correctly identifying Jesus is foundational

The central confession names Him Messiah and Son of the living God.

The church belongs to Christ

He says He will build it, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

The cross is not an accident or defeat

Jesus begins teaching that suffering, death, and resurrection are necessary to His mission.

Discipleship requires self-denial

Following the crucified Messiah clashes with self-preserving ambition and worldly gain.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Daniel 7:13–14

The Son of man language prepares for Jesus’ suffering and later coming in glory.

Isaiah 53

The suffering Messiah theme harmonizes with Isaiah’s Servant who is rejected and bears sin.

1 Corinthians 3:11

Paul states that Jesus Christ is the foundational ground upon which Christian building rests.

1 Peter 2:4–8

Peter later applies stone imagery centrally to Christ, useful background in discussions of the rock passage.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not make Peter’s personal merit the source of revelation

Jesus says the Father revealed the truth.

Do not use binding-and-loosing language as unlimited human authority independent of Christ’s word

The keys belong to the kingdom mission Christ entrusts, not autonomous power.

Do not make cross-bearing a condition for eternal life

It describes costly discipleship; salvation is by faith in Christ.

Read Matthew 16 watching for…

The sign demand and warning about leaven.

Peter’s confession.

What Jesus says He will build.

The first clear passion prediction.

Peter’s rapid change from confession to rebuke.

The distinction between gaining the world and following Christ.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-12Jesus refuses a sign to unbelieving leaders and warns the disciples about their doctrine 13-20Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God 21-23Jesus foretells his suffering, death, and resurrection and rebukes Peter’s resistance 24-28Jesus calls disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow him

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

And 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?

A 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.

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

How 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?

Then 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.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And 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.

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.

And 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.

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

From 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.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But 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.

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.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

For 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?

For 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.

Verily 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.

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Matthew 16:26

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