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Chapter 16
We are given names and titles for Jesus through Scripture: Messiah/Christ, Son of David, Son of Man, Son of Abraham, King of Jews, Son of God, Lord of Sabbath, and Son of Man are seen in Matthew.
We learn some aspects of His character: compassion, love, teacher, healer=Jehovah Rapha, all powerful=omnipotent, El Shaddai, omniscience=all knowing, Lord and Master=Adonai, righteous=Jehovah Tsidkenu, holy.
Who do you say that Jesus is?
Leaders Demand a Miraculous Sign
1 One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.2 He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow;3 red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! 4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. ” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread.6 “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”7 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread?9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up?10 Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up?11 Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”12 Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Matt 16:1-28 (NLT)
Chapter 16
THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES ASK A SIGN. 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees were opposed to each other in principles and in conduct; yet they joined against Christ. But they desired a sign of their own choosing: they despised those signs which relieved the necessity of the sick and sorrowful, and called for something else which would gratify the curiosity of the proud. It is great hypocrisy, when we slight the signs of God's ordaining, to seek for signs of our own devising.
Jesus warned us about the leaven of the Phrisees and Sadducees. They asked for a sign but only the sign of Jonah would be given. Jonah spent three nights in the belly of the whale and then came out alive. He would spend three nights in the belly of the earth and then He would come out alive.
JESUS CAUTIONS AGAINST THE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES. 16:5-12
Christ speaks of spiritual things under a similitude, and the disciples misunderstand him of carnal things. He took it ill that they should think him as thoughtful about bread as they were; that they should be so little acquainted with his way of preaching. Then understood they what he meant. Christ teaches by the Spirit of wisdom in the heart, opening the understanding to the Spirit of revelation in the word.
The Pharisees and Sadducees followed tradition. In many cases their tradition replaced God's own laws. They often looked down on others who did not follow their traditions, and burdened the people with things that they themselves could not keep. Jesus spent much of His minstry in the area of the world where the most religous Jews were educated. They were known for their passionate desire to be faithful to fulfill every aspect of daily life. They debated Scriputre and its application with great enthusiasm. They loved God with all their heart, soul, and mind. They trained up their children to do the same. This dedication sort of became their God. They did not recognize Jesus as God, nor that He would save them from their sins. They didn't recognize that the things they did were not going to bring them salvation. We are to beware of what they did. We are to obey God's laws, but are not to be like them, with wrong motives and no love in their heart for their fellow man. They did it all for show, to be honored in the street or the temple, the marketplace and in public. They wanted to be seen for their pious behavior. Jesus confronted them with something better than religion, rules, and tradition. They refused to repent and were afraid that Jesus would unsurp their position because crowds of people were following Jesus. If they only could have recognized what Jesus had to offer. There He was, ready to forgive them their sins, and they missed out on it.
PETER'S TESTIMONY THAT JESUS WAS THE CHRIST. 16:13-20
Peter, for himself and his brethren, said that they were assured of our Lord's being the promised Messiah, the Son of the living God. This showed that they believed Jesus to be more than man. Our Lord declared Peter to be blessed, as the teaching of God made him differ from his unbelieving countrymen. Christ added that he had named him Peter, in allusion to his stability or firmness in professing the truth. The word translated "rock," is not the same word as Peter, but is of a similar meaning. Nothing can be more wrong than to suppose that Christ meant the person of Peter was the rock. Without doubt Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other! Peter's confession is this rock as to doctrine. If Jesus be not the Christ, those that own him are not of the church, but deceivers and deceived. Our Lord next declared the authority with which Peter would be invested. He spoke in the name of his brethren, and this related to them as well as to him. They had no certain knowledge of the characters of men, and were liable to mistakes and sins in their own conduct; but they were kept from error in stating the way of acceptance and salvation, the rule of obedience, the believer's character and experience, and the final doom of unbelievers and hypocrites. In such matters their decision was right, and it was confirmed in heaven. But all pretensions of any man, either to absolve or retain men's sins, are blasphemous and absurd. None can forgive sins but God only. And this binding and loosing, in the common language of the Jews, signified to forbid and to allow, or to teach what is lawful or unlawful.
Jesus said that Peter was blessed for recognizing that He was the Son of the living God. God HImself would have revealed that to Peter. If we believe, if we have faith, that too is a gift from the Father. Praise Him for revealing the truth to you. Not everyone has been given eyes to see or a mind to understand. You are blessed. Jesus is the author of our faith. Thank Him. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Thank Him.
The word for Peter is petros and it means a movable rock. The word for rock is actually petra and means a projecting point on a cliff, and is unmovable. It isn't Peter who is the rock, nor is he building the rock. The church belongs to Jesus, He owns it, and it is being fit together with living stones. We are the church, Jew, Gentile, slave, free, male and female. The keys to the kingdom is what opens the way to the kingdom. Jesus is the only way. Peter was given the authority to officially open the kingdom. Peter recognized and believed that Jesus was the Son of the living God, the Messiah. By proclaiming the Gospel, we offer people a choice. Whoever accepts it is freed from sin and its penalty. Whoever rejects the message is bound in their sin and headed for eternal damnation. This is the binding and loosing. This is the spiritual action of God. God has already determined the key to getting to enter into the kingdom. Peter proclaimed the Gospel, and then the apostles did as well. If they determined that someone was teaching falsely, then they would kick that teacher out of the church. In 1 John we can read about how you can know you are a Christian,or a true believer.
CHRIST FORETELLS HIS SUFFERINGS, AND REBUKES PETER. 16:21-23
Christ reveals his mind to his people gradually. From that time, when the apostles had made the full confession of Christ, that he was the Son of God, he began to show them of his sufferings. He spake this to set right the mistakes of his disciples about the outward pomp and power of his kingdom. Those that follow Christ, must not expect great or high things in this world. Peter would have Christ to dread suffering as much as he did; but we mistake, if we measure Christ's love and patience by our own. We do not read of any thing said or done by any of his disciples, at any time, that Christ resented so much as this. Whoever takes us from that which is good, and would make us fear to do too much for God, speaks Satan's language. Whatever appears to be a temptation to sin, must be resisted with abhorrence, and not be parleyed with. Those that decline suffering for Christ, savour more of the things of man than of the things of God.
Jesus is headed for Jerusalem and he explains what will happen there. He does not want His disciples to be uninformed. He will suffer at the hands of the elders, priests, and teachers of the religous law. He will be killed, but will raise on the third day. Peter's response reflects that he does not understand that this is the way God has planned to achieve spiritual victory. Peter becomes a trap of Satan's to Jesus. Jesus has to rebuke Satan. We too can be used by Satan. We should not try to lean on our own understanding. God's ways are higher than our ways. We must be about God's agenda.
THE NECESSITY OF SELF-DENIAL. 16:24-28
A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, whithersoever he goes. "Let him deny himself." If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us. "Let him take up his cross." The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.
We must let God have His way with us. If we try to control our own destiny, we will not end up where we want to be. If we compromise spiritually and try to save ourselves, we will be eternally damned. We can't make up our own rules. There is no way around God's plan. We can't serve God and some of the world. We will end up hating one or the other. God's plan will bring suffering. Jesus suffered, and He told us the world will hate us because we believe in Him. We have to be ready to accept that. Our affliction here is only temporary. If we turn from our selfish ways and take up our cross, if we are ready to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom, we will save our life. The life we look forward too is eternal. Is anything worth losing that? What is your understanding of obedience to God? If we believe that our faith is based soley on what we believe, of knowing the right things, instead of doing the right things we need to wake up. Make your personal commitment to 'walk' your faith. It is very much action, how you live and behave in community. Your actions are not what saves you, but reflects that you are saved. Being obedient to God comes out of a grateful heart for being saved. Abraham ahd faith. If we understand that to mean that He believed God but that his life never reflected that in his choices and actions, we would not have faith at all. His faith was tested. If you say you believe God, then God wants you to trust Him with your life. He is in control of how you live. Being obedient to Him matters. What has your local church taught you about obedience, about faith? If you listen to teachers, you may not get the whole counsel of God. Learn to study scripture for yourself. Your eternal life depends on it. A lifestyle without God is a tragedy.
—Matthew Henry Concise
with some of my own comments added
Chapter 17
There is a time in every relationship that you will decide whether to continue in that relationship. Jesus has gotten very specific about what it means to follow Him. What does it mean to you to follow Jesus? How does that look in your life? How would you describe it to someone who asked?
There are some things you need in order to follow Jesus.
You need to know your identity. Jesus always starts off with a relationship by showing who He is.
You need to understand that suffering precedes glory. You must be willing to loose your life. Jesus replaces our lives. He is not something you add to what you have. We must deny ourself. We must all about Him.
You must have faith. If we don't excercise our faith it will stay as small as a mustard seed. Jesus gives us opportunities to grow, we need to grab onto what He is teaching and learn from it. Put your everything into being what He intended you to be. Jesus has been showing by His example how to live in the kingdom. Do you believe that you will experience the kingdom? What do you base that answer on? Are you following Jesus?
Now Jesus is going to show His glorified state.
The Transfiguration
1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.4 Peter blurted out, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”8 And when they looked, they saw only Jesus.9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”10 Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes? ”11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready for the Messiah.12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”13 Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said,15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”17 Jesus replied, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. ”
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
22 After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.23 He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Payment of the Temple Tax
24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered? ”26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” Matt 17:1-27 (NLT)
Chapter 17
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. 17:1-13
Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ's glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion; and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew not what he said. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here upon earth. Whatever tabernacles we propose to make for ourselves in this world, we must always remember to ask Christ's leave. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God's voice in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they commonly saw him. We must pass through varied experiences in our way to glory; and when we return to the world after an ordinance, it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then it may be our comfort that he is with us.
Jesus invited Peter, James and John to the mountain. There Jesus shone in all His glory. Moses and Elijah were there also. Peter wants to set up three tabernacles. You need to understand Jewish thinking to realize what he was trying to do. When Jesus comes again, He will come to tabernacle with man. He will bring us to His dwelling place. Peter thought the kingdom had come, and was being set up here. God interupted him.
JESUS CASTS OUT A DUMB AND DEAF SPIRIT. 17:14-21
The case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was taken of the child. When all other helps and succours fail, we are welcome to Christ, may trust in him, and in his power and goodness. See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our Redeemer. It encourages parents to bring children to Christ, whose souls are under Satan's power; he is able to heal them, and as willing as he is able. Not only bring them to Christ by prayer, but bring them to the word of Christ; to means by which Satan's strong-holds in the soul are beaten down. It is good for us to distrust ourselves and our own strength; but it is displeasing to Christ when we distrust any power derived from him, or granted by him. There was also something in the malady which rendered the cure difficult. The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Do we wonder to see Satan's bodily possession of this young man from a child, when we see his spiritual possession of every son of Adam from the fall!
Jesus is not something that is added to your life. He changes your life. He can change any soul into a new creation. He is seen healing once again. He has a heart of compassion for people in need. That is what He wanted the Pharisees and Sadducees to understand. They lacked that in their heart. We don't need tons of faith, we just need to come, and allow Jesus to do what He does. Then we need to be what we are called to be.
HE AGAIN FORETELLS HIS SUFFERINGS. 17:22,23
Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him, yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows his love. What outward debasement and Divine glory was the life of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, to despise riches and worldly honours, and to be content with his will.
HE WORKS A MIRACLE TO PAY THE TRIBUTE MONEY. 17:24-27
Peter felt sure that his Master was ready to do what was right. Christ spoke first to give him proof that no thought can be withholden from him. We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offence; but we must sometimes deny ourselves in our worldly interests, rather than give offence. However the money was lodged in the fish, He who knows all things alone could know it, and only almighty power could bring it to Peter's hook. The power and the poverty of Christ should be mentioned together. If called by providence to be poor, like our Lord, let us trust in his power, and our God shall supply all our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In the way of obedience, in the course, perhaps, of our usual calling, as he helped Peter, so he will help us. And if any sudden call should occur, which we are not prepared to meet, let us not apply to others, till we first seek Christ.
—Matthew Henry Concise
with some of my own comments added