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.

King James Version BSB KJV

Tap any verse number for what that verse means.

1The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3And 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?

4A 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.

5And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11How 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?

12Then 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.

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18And 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.

19And 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.

20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21From 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.

22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23But 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.

24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26For 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?

27For 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.

28Verily 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.

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.

This is one chapter. BibleKey does all 1,189.

Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.

Get BibleKey

All 28 chapters of Matthew · Every book of the Bible · Browse by topic

Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.