Matthew 16

(1)  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
(2)  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
(3)  And 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?
(4)  A 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.
(5)  And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
(6)  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
(8)  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
(9)  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(10)  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(11)  How 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?
(12)  Then 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.
(13)  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
(14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
(15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
(16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18)  And 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.
(19)  And 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.
(20)  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
(21)  From 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.
(22)  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
(23)  But 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.
(24)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
(26)  For 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?
(27)  For 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.
(28)  Verily 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.

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Study Questions

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1. Why are the Pharisees teaming up with the Sadducees? I thought they were enemies. Verse 1.

2. In what way were the Pharisees tempting (testing) Jesus in asking for a “sign from heaven”? Verse 1.

3. Do we have a modern weather prediction like that of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Verses 2-3.

4. Can you name any of the “signs of the times” the Pharisees and Sadducees should have been able to discern? Verse 3.

5. What was the sign of the prophet Jonah? Verse 4.

6. What had the disciples forgotten to take when they went to the other side of Galilee? Verse 5.

7. How was it a lack of faith for the disciples to think they were being reproached for bringing no bread? Verses 7-10.

8. What was it that Jesus referred to as “the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees”? Verses 11-12.

9. Tell something about John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah that would have made some people identify each one with Jesus. Verses 13-14.

10. What two propositions did Peter affirm in his answer to Jesus’ question? Verses 15-16.

11. Was Jesus pleased with Peter’s answer? Verse 17.

12. What did “flesh and blood” reveal about Jesus’ question? Verse 17. (See verse 14)

13. How do you think the “Father which is in heaven” revealed the answer to Peter? Verse 17.

14. Which makes more sense: (1) The church shall be built on Simon Peter (petros), or, (2) The church shall be built on the confession Peter had just made (petra)? Verse 18.

15. How many churches did Jesus promise to build? Verse 18.

16. The word for hell here is hades, meaning “the unseen,” in other words, the hadean world. What thought does this bring up? Verse 18.

17. Can you think of a way (or ways) Peter used the keys of the kingdom? Verse 19.

18. What is taught in Peter being given power to bind and loose? Verse 19.

19. Why did Jesus not want His disciples to tell what they knew at this point? Verse 20.

20. Why do you think Jesus gave the first plain prediction of His death at this time? Verse 21.

21. Why do you think Jesus was so upset with Peter’s rebuke? Verses 22-23.

22. What is necessary if we would be a disciple, according to Jesus? Verse 24.

23. The words “life” and “soul” come from the same original word. In failing to follow Jesus, what life is saved and what life is lost? Verses 25-26.

24. Since men are to be finally rewarded according to their works, what life is the most important? Verse 27.

25. The coming to judge the world suggested another coming - the Son of man coming in His kingdom. When did that take place? Verse 28.