New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 16

The Rock and the Cross

Peter makes the greatest confession in history — then immediately tries to talk Jesus out of the cross. Both responses are profoundly human.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

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1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

2But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’

3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.

4A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

5When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread.

6“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”

8Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread?

9Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

11How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

12Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

21From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”

23But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

24Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

28Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Understand This

Matthew 16, explained

What Matthew 16 is saying

The Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign; Jesus offers only the sign of Jonah. He warns disciples about the 'leaven' of the Pharisees and Sadducees. At Caesarea Philippi, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ and Son of the living God. Jesus blesses Peter, speaks of building His ekklesia on this rock, then immediately predicts His suffering and death. When Peter rebukes Him, Jesus calls Peter 'Satan' and teaches that discipleship requires cross-bearing and self-denial.

The background behind it

Caesarea Philippi, located near a pagan shrine to Pan at the foot of Mount Hermon, provides a dramatic backdrop for Peter's confession. The term ekklesia appears only here and in 18:17 in all four Gospels. The 'keys of the kingdom' language draws on Isaiah 22:22 and the steward tradition.

Themes running underneath

Peter's confession is the Gospel's climactic turning point. The identity question—'Who do you say I am?'—remains the central question of Christianity. The immediate juxtaposition of Peter's insight and blindness (blessed by the Father, then rebuked as Satan) illustrates how partial understanding can coexist with genuine faith.

Why it still matters

Jesus asks every reader the same question He asked Peter. And the cross-bearing teaching ensures no one follows a triumphant Christ while avoiding the path He actually walked.

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Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.