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Steve Thompson

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Matthew 16:13–20

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I. Jesus’ Identity (16:13-17)

(13) The question of importance.

- The uniqueness of the area Jesus asks this question

show map: William Barclay notes that Caesarea Philippi lies about twenty-five miles north-east of the Sea of Galilee. It was outside the domain of Herod Antipas, who was the ruler of Galilee, and within the area of Philip the Tetrarch. The population was mainly non-Jewish, and there Jesus would have peace to teach the Twelve.

* Matthew Green hits the significance of this place leading to Jesus conversation: “It was an amazing place. The name was derived from the fact that a grotto under the mountain there was reputed to be the birthplace of the god Pan, the most famous fertility symbol in ancient paganism. He was the legendary god of nature, and his worship was important in this town which bore his name. That same mountain saw the source of the River Jordan, while all around the land was filled with the temples of classical pagan religion. Towering above them, resplendent in its white marble and massive dimensions, was the new temple to the emperor from which the city derived its changed name. This was the place Jesus chose to see if any of his disciples really understood him.”

- In a place of divinity; the source of a life giving river; and a place of all sorts of worship; Jesus asks the important question.

Green, M. (2001). The message of Matthew: the kingdom of heaven (p. 177). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Jesus starts with the title that He fulfills, the son of man. When we look at the this title from Scripture we understand that Jesus has used it of Himself on previous occasions in the Gospel of Matthew.

Green, M. (2001). The message of Matthew: the kingdom of heaven (p. 177). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

While it certainly had messianic implications, it was still rather ambiguous which was why it was used in asking the question. Back in chapter 8, Leon Morris said this about the term “it was a rare term and one without nationalistic associations. (no political complications) Secondly, because it had overtones of divinity.. Thirdly, because of its societary implications. The Son of man implies the redeemed people of God. Fourthly, because it had undertones of humanity.”

Jesus asks a question about what people are saying outside of their close knit circle about His true identity.

(14) Jesus hears the spectrum of all things

- Some confuse Jesus with John the Baptist.

As we saw earlier, Herod Antipas thought that the stories of Jesus were really about John the baptist. In that case, Jesus’ power was attributed to the risen John the Baptist.

Why would anyone confuse John, who did no miracles with Jesus? Most likely because of the character of the man being bold and unafraid held sway over Herod.

- Others confuse Jesus with a prophet.

Some looked at Elijah in mythical proportions and assumed that Jesus was Elijah that has come back again. The Biblical precedent comes from “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.” As John Nolland articulates “This expectation, combined with the memory of the impact of Elijah with its focus on the prospect of judgment and miracles of nature and healing, makes sense of an identification of Jesus as Elijah.”

The other prophet mentioned as being the identity of Jesus is Jeremiah. R.T. France in his commentary notes “Jeremiah was a plausible identification, especially in that he, like Jesus, was a prophet of judgment, declaring God’s impending destruction of his own nation, and therefore opposed and persecuted by its leaders.”

The general nature of prophets and some amazing things that were accomplished in their ministry by God has lead even some to see Jesus as a new prophet for this generation.

France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, p. 255). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

- Does this Inform us about the world we live in?

1st Syncretism is a danger that comes from taking Jesus’ attributes and crediting them to another. There is no one like Jesus Christ, He is preeminent in all the world. A culture that seeks to place relative truth as the supreme value will have a hard time with absolutes. (seems insensitive) Don’t fall prey to anyone that seeks to elevate other aspects of other religions and figures on the same par as Jesus Christ.

2nd While there are some truths about Elijah and his role in God’s will, Elijah would cringe if he knew how some mistook him for Jesus. In talking about Christianity, don’t let yourself be the bigger story than Jesus. (i.e. testimony)

(15) Jesus asks the personal question

Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 659). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

- Notice the transition to being more personal.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The phrase “He said to them” before asking the question is rather noteworthy. It isn’t just another way to ask a question but Jesus stating that they need to clarify their judgment of Him.

The word “but” is moving from the survey of popular opinions to what is of utter importance for them.

The word “you” is rather emphatic in the original language to highlight that it was more important for Jesus to know their opinion.

- Their view on Jesus is where the rubber meets the road.

While certainly Jesus introduced the subject by asking about other people’s opinions, now He is looking for their assessment.

They have spent an incredible amount of time through a number of different circumstances, so this question is looking for their hearts ability to perceive things.

At the place of all sorts of worship and the place of water that flows out and brings life, where people have been committing idolatry for years, Jesus asks the important question that has to do with the answer to all the false assumptions that have occured there. Jesus wants to know if they can see truth that all the other people that were bringing false worship missed.

(16) The most truthful answer to ever be spoken

- Peter steps forward to speak.

Here we have Peter again being the first one to respond to Jesus just as He had done earlier when in the boat watching Jesus walk upon water.

In as sense Peter was indeed acting as a spokesman for the group, but not all would come to a point of saving faith in Jesus.

- Peter mentions that Jesus is the Messiah.

As most of you know, Christ is the transliteration of the Greek word χριστός which means “anointed one” that is also short hand in the New Testament for the Messiah.

Here is some background of this word: “In the LXX χριστός is a translation of the Hebrew noun מָשִׁיחַ. מָשִׁיחַ is formed from the verb מָשַׁח (‘spread a liquid over, anoint’) and means ‘anointed one’.... It is used in the construct state and followed by yhwh (‘Yahweh’) to mean ‘Yahweh’s anointed one’, always referring to the king of Israel/Judah.312 And it is used with first, second, and third person possessive pronouns, giving effectively ‘[God’s] anointed one’ and referring in all cases but one to the king of Israel/Judah (in Cyrus is ‘his [i.e., God’s] anointed’). The predominant use is in relation to the royal house, with the term נִמְשַׁח referring to a literal anointing with oil but more importantly marking God’s choice of this person and often involving the aspirations associated with the Davidic dynasty. Related uses of the verb for the most part only reinforce the connection with the anointing of kings.”

In Peter’s statement there is a confession that Jesus is some type of messianic king and savior but to what extent was still developing for many of the disciples.

- Peter confesses that Jesus is the son of God.

While the phrase “son of God” had messianic implications of a special relationship with God from the Davidic , there is clearly more to it in the disciples’ minds.

The divinity of Jesus is clearly understood in light of “and those who were in the boat worshiped Him (Jesus), saying ‘You are certainly God’s Son!”

Peter couldn’t have ascribed a greater exalted title to Jesus than He had done. The phrase “living God” is a reminder that God is true, alive and active in contrast to all the Pseudo gods that surrounded them. Along those lines, Jesus has been demonstrating that He is active through the supernatural things that He has been doing while traveling with the disciples.

(17) A Recognition that this came from God

- Jesus mentions that Peter was blessed.

Peter’s full name is used. Barjona would be the Hebrew transliteration that means son of Jonah. Most likely the reason for it is to highlight his origin as being not from royal or divine stock but from human origins of his father.

Jesus is not speaking a blessing upon Peter, but acknowledging God’s special favor in speaking the words of truth about Jesus’ identity.

- Jesus explains that understanding this revelation about Jesus came from God alone.

Neither his family stock nor the human abilities led Simon Peter to the point of discovering this great truth.

God the Father brought about the insight into Jesus’ real identity. This supernatural ability to understand was outside of the normal bounds of mere intellectual reasoning, it required supernatural help.

Also worth noting is that in this statement Jesus affirms His unique relationship with God the Father. It is not the same as anyone else because “son of God” is about essence and relationship, rather than origin. (preexistence)

- What does that truth do for us?

It tells us that understanding spiritual things requires supernatural help. Its not because some people don’t have a brain that reasons and comprehends but that God’s Spirit reveals things. “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the ru(lers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;”

7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;

It is a call to pray for unbelievers to respond to the Gospel and believers to heed the Spirit’s direction through God’s revealed will in Scripture.

8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

It is a reminder in how to search God’s will as believers. “ “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”

11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

II. The Place of God’s Revelation (16:18-20)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

(18) Jesus adds to Peter’s confession

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

- Jesus uses a play on words to make a point.

18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

- Jesus uses a play on words to make a point.

The phrase “I also say to you” is being used emphatically to reveal something about Peter. In other words, Peter said “you are the Messiah” and Jesus now says “you are Peter” followed by more information.

Just to mix things up, we have a masculine form of the name Peter ( Πέτρος) and the word for rock is almost similar for Peter but in the feminine form (πέτρα).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 4376 πέτρα

πέτρα (petra), ας (as), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ DBLHebr 6152, 7446; Str 4073; TDNT 6.95—LN 2.21 bedrock (sometimes with a thin layer of soil), (Mt 7:24; 16:18; 27:51, 60; Mk 15:46; Lk 6:48; Ro 9:33; 1Co 10:4; 1Pe 2:8; Rev 6:15)

4377 Πέτρος (Petros), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.pr.masc. [see also 3064]; ≡ Str 4074; TDNT 6.100—LN 93.296 Peter (Mt 4:18; 16:18; 26:35; Mk 14:29, 72; Lk 24:12; Jn 18:10; 21:15; Ac 1:13–12:18 passim; Gal 2:7; 1Pe 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Mk 16: Shorter v.r.)

πετρῶδες (petrōdes), ους (ous), τό (to): n.neu. [served by 4378]; ≡ Str 4075—LN 2.22 rocky ground, often defined as a thin soil layer with bedrock or larger rocks just underneath (Mt 13:5, 20; Mk 4:5, 16+)

In reality, the distinction between the two words for “rock” is the difference between the masculine word and the feminine word for “rock”. There is a difference in the forms for a reason, which we will look at in a second.

- Jesus says upon this rock I will build my church.

Roman Catholicism has used this to create a strange doctrine: Michael Green points out “What is the rock on which Christ will build his church? Catholics see the rock as Peter: Peter is empowered to control entrance into heaven; Peter is empowered to forgive sins. They see him as the first bishop of Rome and his authority transferred to succeeding popes.”

The identification of the second “rock” is easy enough if you consider a few things: 1. If Peter was to be the rock then changing from the masculine to the feminine wouldn’t make sense.

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

2. The prophets spoke of the messiah as being the choice stone/rock “Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.”

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

Green, M. (2001). The message of Matthew: the kingdom of heaven (p. 179). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

3. Peter even refers to Jesus as the rock in his own epistle “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

4. To quote Dr. Tom Constable “Since Peter had just confessed that Jesus was God, it would have been natural for Jesus to use this figure of God to picture Himself.

- Jesus says that the church, which is built upon Jesus as the precious cornerstone will not be defeated.

Gates to a city were often pictured as being strong and fortified.

Hades was the abode of the dead. Especially in light of those whose destination was unknown.

The picture is that those responsible for death, and death itself cannot oppose the church. Jesus death and resurrection would build the church and it would lead to future resurrection of all the church, not an end to it.

- Makes us think about those great Scriptures for the believer.

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

(19) Peter’s part in the Kingdom is mentioned.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

that I am the Messiah, the Son of the living God, I am giving to you the keys of the kingdom of

heaven. That is, I am giving you authority in the kingdom of heaven, you are the scribe of that

kingdom, and it is your right to authoritatively instruct and legislate in the kingdom. You have the

keys of the kingdom of heaven.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

(19) Peter’s part in the Kingdom is mentioned.

- What this passage is not saying but has been claimed by Roman Catholicism.

It has been used to say that the power and authority of the kingdom of God has been given to a man.

As William Barclay notes: “ It is taken by the Roman Catholic Church to mean that to Peter were given the keys which admit or exclude people from heaven, and that to Peter was given the power to absolve or not to absolve people from their sins. It is further argued by the Roman Catholic Church that Peter, with these tremendous rights, became the Bishop of Rome; and that this power descended to all the Bishops of Rome; and that it exists today in the Pope, who is the head of the Church and the Bishop of Rome.”

Can I just reiterate for those whom thing that anyone that adheres to the beliefs of Roman Catholicism is just a different stripe of Christian, this is not only heresy but it is a false Gospel that cannot save anyone.

- What is Jesus saying to Peter about keys?

First of all, this is not talking about the keys to the church but the kingdom of God. This is important because entrance in the church comes from Christ the solid rock.

Second, we should understand the key in terms of Scriptural usage. For example: In “Thus says the Lord God of hosts, Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the royal household,” There was a man by the name Shebna who was secretary of the treasury, or over the treasury, in the messianic kingdom in Jerusalem. In “I will depose you from your office And I will pull you down from your station. Then it will come about in that day, That I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, And I will clothe him with your tunic And tie your sash securely about him I will entrust him with your authority, And he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. “Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.” God announces that he was taking the authority of the messianic house from Shebna and he was committing it to Eliakim and the key is the sign of the possession of delegated authority in the messianic king’s rule.

And I will pull you down from your station.

20 “Then it will come about in that day,

That I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah,

of the messianic house from Shebna and he was committing it to Eliakim and the key is the sign of

21 And I will clothe him with your tunic

And tie your sash securely about him.

Third, we should understand authority in terms of knowledge. “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” Scribes were also known as Lawyers because they were lawyers in the study of the word. The key is the symbol of the office of scribe. S. Lewis Johnson notes “Jesus is saying to Peter, in the light of your confession that I am the Messiah, the Son of the living God, I am giving to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. That is, I am giving you authority in the kingdom of heaven, you are the scribe of that kingdom, and it is your right to authoritatively instruct and legislate in the kingdom. You have the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

I will entrust him with your authority,

that I am the Messiah, the Son of the living God, I am giving to you the keys of the kingdom of

- How is that authority to be exercised?

heaven. That is, I am giving you authority in the kingdom of heaven, you are the scribe of that

kingdom, and it is your right to authoritatively instruct and legislate in the kingdom. You have the

Jesus is saying that the authority of Peter (and the other disciples in chapter 18) as it relates to the truth has the ability to bind and loosen. If we look at the rabbinical use of binding and loosing, it points to the teaching about was was forbidden or permitted (sometimes forgiven or punished). I believe this is what the authority is being used to teach was is forbidden and what is permitted as well as forgiven.

And he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.

treasury, or over the treasury, in the messianic kingdom in Jerusalem.

keys of the kingdom of heaven.

This comes from what has already been declared. Something worth noting a more literally translation of this verse goes along these lines: ‘what ever you may bind upon the earth will have been bound in heaven and whatever you may untie upon the earth will have been untied in heaven.’ To quote R.T. France in his commentary “it is not that heaven will ratify Peter’s independent decisions, but that Peter will pass on decisions that have already been made in heaven.”

So, coming full circle we see that Peter’s confession about Jesus came from God revealing this to him. In a similar manner, Peter and the other disciples will be given the authority in relation to the kingdom of God to reveal truth from God that will later be referred to as the New Testament.

- What does this authority have to do with us today?

Let’s hear from the apostle Peter’s words as revealed from God in “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”

2 like newborn babies, long for the bpure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Being part of the church means we have an ultimate authority to follow that is greater than any other authority in our life. As such, the authority is found in the Word of God and this is what was proclaimed and is used by The Spirit in our life. “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all bslander,

2 like newborn babies, long for the bpure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

3 if you have tasted bthe kindness of the Lord.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, p. 259). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

(20) There is a time for everything

- In the middle of these two statements, there is a warning to not share the truth about Jesus as messiah.

I am sure what would be natural to want to run off and start sharing the truth, which Peter confessed and most of the disciples affirmed, about Jesus being the Christ and the Son of God. Especially, considering that they are given authority of God’s Kingdom to share revelation from heaven of which Jesus being the King of the Kingdom is one truth.

With all the misunderstandings from Rabbinical teaching about the nature of the messiah, He didn’t want to create a response to Himself that wasn’t in accord with the truth.

- There will be a time for Jesus to be declared in a manner that is fitting for everybody.

Once Jesus is resurrected, the type of messiah that could be believed upon will be limited.

However, it wasn’t until Jesus had accomplished everything on earth according to the Father’s will that the Christ would have His greatest meaning.

the possession of delegated authority in the messianic king’s rule.

- We are in that time to publically proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah. (Gospel is important for all)

22 “Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder,

When he opens no one will shut,

When he shuts no one will open.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

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