Matthew 16: Jesus Is The Messiah and Taking Up Your Cross
Matthew 16: Jesus Is The Messiah and Taking Up Your Cross
Collin Leong. 26/4/2025
(v1-4): The Demand for a Sign (Mark 8:11-13; Luke 12:54-56)
(v1-4) The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested Him by asking Him to show a sign from heaven. Jesus told them they could predict whether it will be stormy when the sun is red and overcast. They can predict the weather but they cannot interpret the signs of the times. Jesus said this wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given except the sign of Jonah.
This is the second time they asked Jesus for a sign. The first one is in Matthew 12:38. These could be different religious leaders, but this time they are asking for a sign from heaven. They ignore the miracles that Jesus have done, but wanted some sign from God Himself.
But they are truly blind, as they had seen a sign from heaven when Jesus was born. They knew the prophecy of Numbers 24:17, where Balaam prophesied: "A star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter shall rise out of Israel." They were told by the Magi that they are following a star, and they told them to go to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). However, none of the religious leaders were interested to go there and take a look.
Jesus refuse to give them a sign because:
a) Their request was insincere; their intention is to test him, not genuinely seek the truth. (v1)
b) They were spiritually blind to existing signs (v2-3). They can interpret the weather but failed to interpret "the signs of the times" - the miracles, teachings, fulfilment of prophecy.
c) They belonged to a wicked and adulterous generation. This is a prophetic language from Old Testament, where spiritual unfaithfulness is likened to adultery. It implies they were unfaithful to God, seeking signs while ignoring His presence and message.
d) Jesus offers only the “sign of Jonah” This refers to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish, foreshadowing Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It’s a prophetic sign pointing to the ultimate proof of His identity and mission.
(5-12) Yeast of Pharisees and Sadducees (Mark 8:14-21)
(5-7) When they cross the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. Jesus used that moment to say, “Be careful, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” The disciples thought it's because they have no bread.
(8-12) Jesus was aware of their discussion and told them that they have very little faith. He told them it is not because they don't have bread, as they should remember when He fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread. They should also remember He fed the four thousand with seven loaves. And how many basketful of left overs did they collect? Then they understood that Jesus was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
As I mentioned in Matthew 15:32-39 where Jesus fed the four thousand, the disciples are so forgetful of what Jesus can do. This is the second time they forget, and Jesus had to remind them of what happened. Surely, these two miracles cannot be forgotten so soon. Jesus said it is because their faith is weak.
Another reason the lack faith is they think literally instead of spiritually, When Jesus warned about the “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” the disciples thought He was talking about physical bread (v.7). This shows they were still interpreting His words through a material lens.
Yeast as a Metaphor for Corrupt Teaching Jesus clarifies that He was warning them about the influence of the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ teachings (v.12). Like yeast in dough, false doctrine subtly spreads and corrupts.
(13-20) Peter Declares Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20; John 6:66-71)
(13-16) When they were at the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples what did people say who the Son of Man is. They said some said he's John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
Then Jesus asked them who they think He is. Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Caesarea Philippi is another gentile region, at the base of Mount Hermon, near the headwaters of the Jordan River. Today, the site is known as Banias, in the Golan Heights region. They were steeped in Greco-Roman pagan worship - including the Pan, Zeus and Nemesis gods.
In the verses above, Jesus was referred as Son of Man and Son of God. Son of Man highlights Jesus' humanity and His role as the representative of mankind. It is a title He often used for Himself, and it connects to the Old Testament prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14, where the "Son of Man" is given authority and dominion by God. This title also signifies His divine authority and role as the Messianic figure who will judge the world.
Son of God emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and His unique relationship with God the Father. It signifies His eternal existence, His role in the Holy Trinity, and His divine authority over creation. Peter declares Jesus as the "Messiah" (Son of Man) and "Son of the living God," affirming both of His divine statuses.
(17-18) Jesus commended Peter and told him that the revelation is not by flesh and blood, but by the Father in heaven. He also said: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
Jesus gives Simon a new identity. Jesus was probably speaking in Aramaic. The word "Peter" and "rock" in Aramaic is "Kepha". However, the first manuscript of Matthew was written in Greek. In Greek, "Peter" is "Petros", meaning "stone" or "small rock". Whereas the "rock" is "Petra", meaning "rock" or "large foundation stone."
Some theologians interpret this sentence to mean that Peter is the rock upon which Jesus would build His church. Others interpret it that the church will be built on the foundational truth that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God.
Hades (Greek) or Sheol (Hebrew) referred to the realm of the dead, not necessarily a place of torment. The "gates of Hades" represents death’s dominion, the strategies of evil, and the forces that seek to imprison or destroy life. Jesus is declaring that death itself will not defeat His church. It’s not just about survival—it’s about triumph over death, sin, and spiritual opposition.
(19-20) Jesus added that He will give Peter 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. Jesus asked his disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah.
What does v19 mean?
Keys of the Kingdom – Keys symbolize authority. Jesus is granting Peter (and by extension, the Church) the authority to lead, teach, and make decisions regarding spiritual and moral matters.
Binding and Loosing – These were rabbinic terms used in Jewish tradition.
Binding refers to prohibiting something.
Loosing refers to permitting something.
The modern church(es) were given spiritual authority to make decisions on matters not discussed in the books of the Bible (See Matthew 18:18). These include smoking, drugs, abortion, alcohol, gambling, gender identity, tattoos, dressing, etc.. All such decisions must be based on the scripture, and the scripture itself cannot be changed, added or reduced. It is the "firm foundation" for the church to be built and maintained until Jesus returned. (Read 2 Tim 2:14-19)
(21-23) Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:21-22)
(v21) From that time on, Jesus began to tell the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and will suffer many things at the hand of elders, the chief priests and teachers of the law (i.e. the Pharisees). He will be killed and will be raised to life on the third day.
(v22-23) Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, saying that this shall never happen to Him. Jesus said to Peter: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Jesus did not mean that Peter is Satan. He is pointing out that what Peter said is similar to what Satan had tempted Him in the wilderness. Jesus recognized that Peter's words reflected human thinking rather than God's divine purpose. His words are a "stumbling block" to Jesus.
(24-28) Take Up Your Cross (Matthew 10:37-39; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27)
(24-25) Jesus said to his disciples, that whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it; but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
What does the "cross" mean? In Jesus days, the cross has only one meaning - death by crucifixion, the most painful torture ever invented by man. It must have been challenging for the disciples to accept His word. However, Jesus is using it as an extreme example of what a real disciple must be willing to do. But before you can be willing to die on a cross, you must first be willing to:
- Self-denial: Putting aside personal desires and ambitions to follow God's will.
- Endurance in trials: Facing hardships, persecution, or suffering with faith and perseverance.
- Commitment to discipleship: Living according to Jesus' teachings, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
- Sacrificial love: Serving others selflessly, just as Jesus did.
There is a high price to become a disciple of Jesus. Luke 9:57-62 (Matthew 8:19-22) provided an example of half-hearted commitment to Jesus, where they prioritize their comfortable home, and their family needs over following Jesus. Some of us may give our jobs, our reputation, our money and our friends over Christ.
(26-27) Jesus continued to say that there is no point for them to gain the whole world, and yet loose their soul. No one can pay for their own soul. However, the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and He will reward each person according to what they have done.
While there is a high cost for a true disciple, the rewards are so much more! Not only will our souls be saved, but Jesus Himself will reward us for the things we have done for Him.
(v29) Jesus told them that, some of them will not die until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.
This statement has sparked much discussion among scholars and believers alike. We know that the disciples did not really "see" Jesus coming in to His own kingdom (physically or spiritually). The closest events are during the ascension of Jesus when he returned to heaven (Luke 24:50-51), and also in Revelation where John saw Jesus near the throne of God (Revelation 5:6-7; 7:11).
Others suggest that Jesus was speaking about His resurrection and ascension, where He was glorified and established His reign over the Church. Some also link this statement to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the spread of God's kingdom on Earth
However, most of the scholars believe that the transfiguration is when Peter, James, and John saw Jesus' in His divine glory speaking to Moses and Elijah, and when God Himself said that Jesus is His beloved son. The Greek word translated “kingdom” can also be translated “royal splendor,” meaning that the three disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven
In each Gospel, the very next passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, which shows Jesus in all His glory which will be seen again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual links make it very likely that this is the proper interpretation.
Appendix
v19 has created different interpretation which has impact to the way different denomination churches are run:
1. Catholics View:
- Catholics interpret this verse as Jesus appointing Peter as the leader of His Church.
- They believe that Peter was given authority by Jesus, symbolized by the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19).
- This authority is seen as passed down through apostolic succession, meaning that the Pope is Peter’s successor as the leader of the Church.
- Catholics believe the Pope has the authority to guide the Church, ensuring unity and correct teaching.
- They believe that the Pope is guided by the Holy Spirit to lead the Church.
- When making official doctrinal decisions (such as defining dogma), the Pope is believed to be protected from error by divine guidance—this is called papal infallibility. However, this does not mean the Pope is personally sinless or perfect.
- Many believe this authority was given to all believers, not just Peter, emphasizing the Church’s role in teaching and guiding.
- Protestants often argue that authority should be based on Scripture alone ("Sola Scriptura" reformation by Martin Luther), rather than a single leader.
- Most of them believe the Bible is complete and cannot be changed.
- However, within the Protestant, there are differences in their doctrines, such as predestination (Calvinist), free will, speaking in tongues (Pentecostal), healing, future prophecy, method of baptism and communion, and end-times views.
Jesus is appointed Peter (and the apostles) as the leaders of the new (or infant) Church. While the disciples are not perfect (eg, Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62), and he was rebuked by Paul for hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14), Jesus trusted them to write down the theology of Christianity, that was shaped for many years by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and eventually becomes the Bible or the Word of God. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 14:26)
Paul was also appointed as an apostle, focusing on non-Jews evangelism and church building (Gal 1:1; Rom 1:1; Acts 9:15), and most of the New Testament letters are written by Him.
When the theology and principles were completed by the apostles, the scripture can no longer be changed, reduced, or added. This is to prevent false prophets who inserts falsity into the scripture and to prevent cults. There is also no longer a need to have someone similar to the Pope. Having someone like a Pope can bring in practices and tradition not written in the original bible, such as purgatory, prayers to Mary and saints, the Eucharist (transubstantiation), confession to a Priest, and infant baptism.
My believe is supported by these verses:
1 Corinthians 3:11: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Revelation 22:18-19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."
Comments
Post a Comment