Jewish Leaders Test Jesus
Matthew 16, verse 1. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. Matthew 16, verse 2. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘ It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; Matthew 16, verse 3. and in the morning, ‘ It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Matthew 16, verse 4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
The Pharisees' False Doctrine
Matthew 16, verse 5. Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Matthew 16, verse 6. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matthew 16, verse 7. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “ It is because we have taken no bread.” Matthew 16, verse 8. But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Matthew 16, verse 9. Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Matthew 16, verse 10. Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? Matthew 16, verse 11. How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?— but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16, verse 12. Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus Is the Christ, the Son of God
Matthew 16, verse 13. When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16, verse 14. So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16, verse 15. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16, verse 16. Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16, verse 17. Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16, verse 18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16, verse 19. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16, verse 20. Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Jesus' Work: His Passion and Resurrection
Matthew 16, verse 21. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16, verse 22. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” Matthew 16, verse 23. But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16, verse 24. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16, verse 25. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16, verse 26. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16, verse 27. For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16, verse 28. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”