Matthew 16

In Response to a Wicked Demand, Jesus Reiterates the Sign of Jonah (16:1–4)

₁ The Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. ₂ He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fine weather, for the sky is red,’ ₃ and in the early morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ₄ A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Then he left them; he went away.

Beware the Influence of the Pharisees and Sadducees (16:5–12)

₅ When the disciples went to the other side of the sea, they forgot to take bread. ₆ Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ₇ The disciples argued this among themselves and said, “It is because we brought no bread.” ₈ Aware of what happened, Jesus said, “O you of little understanding, why are you arguing among yourselves about not having bread? ₉ Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ₁₀ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ₁₁ How is it you do not understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ₁₂ Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter Testifies That Jesus Is the Son of God (16:13–20)

₁₃ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Whom do the people say the Son of Man is?” ₁₄ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ₁₅ He said to them, “Who do you say I am?” ₁₆ And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ₁₇ And Jesus replied and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you, but my Father who is in the heavens has revealed it. ₁₈ And I tell you that you are Peter; and upon this, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ₁₉ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in the heavens.” ₂₀ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Jesus Foretells His Suffering, Death, and Resurrection (16:21–23)

₂₁ From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go away into Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law. He would be killed and then resurrected on the third day. ₂₂ Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Lord, mercy on you! This will never happen to you!” ₂₃ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Stand down, you complainer. You are a stumbling block to me. You are not thinking about the things of God but rather the concerns of men.”

Dedicate Your Life to Christ in Order to Find Eternal Life 
(16:24–28)

₂₄ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to come after me must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ₂₅ For whoever wishes to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ₂₆ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world but lose their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ₂₇ For the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to their work. ₂₈ Truly I tell you, there are some who are standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”