Matthew 16

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with the Pharisees and Sadducees asking Jesus for a sign from heaven, but Jesus refuses, saying that only an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. Jesus then warns His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and they finally understand that He is speaking about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, and they reply that some say He is John the Baptist, others say He is Elijah, and others say He is Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asks His disciples who they say He is, and Peter replies that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus blesses Peter for his confession and says that He will build His church on the rock of Peter's confession. Jesus then begins to teach His disciples about His impending death and resurrection, but Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke Him, saying that this will never happen to Him. Jesus turns to Peter and says, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.' Jesus then calls the crowd to Him and says that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. The chapter ends with Jesus saying that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it, and that He will reward each person according to what they have done.

Context for the Chapter

Matthew 16 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus reveals His identity as the Christ to His disciples. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry, as He begins to focus on His impending death and resurrection. The chapter is set in the context of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where He has been teaching and performing miracles. The chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, where Jesus' death and resurrection are central to the gospel message.

Heart Application

The chapter has several practical applications for the reader. First, it highlights the importance of confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Second, it emphasizes the need for self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life. Finally, it reminds the reader that following Jesus requires a willingness to put God's will above one's own desires and interests.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Matthew 16 is a chapter about Jesus revealing His identity as the Christ to His disciples. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus teaches about the importance of self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life. The chapter highlights the need to put God's will above one's own desires and interests and to be willing to follow Jesus, even when it is difficult. As Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, 'Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'

Voices from the Church

“The Pharisees and Sadducees were not seeking a sign from Jesus out of a desire to believe, but rather to tempt Him and to find fault with Him. This is a warning to us to be careful not to seek signs and wonders for the wrong reasons, but rather to seek a genuine faith in Jesus Christ.”

— John Calvin

“Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ is a model for us of what it means to have a genuine faith in Jesus. It is not enough to simply acknowledge Jesus as a great teacher or a moral example, but rather we must confess Him as the Son of the living God.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Outline for Preaching

1. The Pharisees and Sadducees seek a sign from Jesus (Matthew 16:1-4) — The Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven, but Jesus refuses, saying that only an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign.
2. Jesus warns His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5-12) — Jesus warns His disciples about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying that it is like yeast that can spread and corrupt their faith.
3. Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20) — Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, and Peter replies that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus blesses Peter for his confession and says that He will build His church on the rock of Peter's confession.
4. Jesus teaches about His impending death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23) — Jesus begins to teach His disciples about His impending death and resurrection, but Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke Him, saying that this will never happen to Him.
5. Jesus calls the crowd to Him and teaches about self-denial and sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-28) — Jesus calls the crowd to Him and says that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. He also says that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it, and that He will reward each person according to what they have done.

Core Doctrines

The Deity of Christ

The chapter teaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that He is the foundation of the church. This doctrine is central to the Christian faith and is a key theme of the chapter.

The Importance of Confessing Jesus as the Christ

The chapter highlights the importance of confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession is a declaration of faith that sets the stage for the rest of the chapter and is a model for us of what it means to have a genuine faith in Jesus.

The Need for Self-Denial and Sacrifice in the Christian Life

The chapter emphasizes the need for self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life. Jesus teaches that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him, and that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.

The Reward of Following Jesus

The chapter teaches that Jesus will reward each person according to what they have done. This is a motivation for us to follow Jesus and to put God's will above our own desires and interests.

Lessons from Matthew 16

1. The Importance of Confessing Jesus as the Christ — The chapter teaches that confessing Jesus as the Christ is a declaration of faith that sets the stage for the rest of the chapter and is a model for us of what it means to have a genuine faith in Jesus.
2. The Need for Self-Denial and Sacrifice in the Christian Life — The chapter emphasizes the need for self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life, and teaches that whoever wants to follow Jesus must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him.
3. The Reward of Following Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus will reward each person according to what they have done, and that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.
4. The Importance of Avoiding the Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees — The chapter warns us about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and teaches that it is like yeast that can spread and corrupt our faith.
5. The Importance of Putting God's Will Above Our Own Desires and Interests — The chapter teaches that following Jesus requires a willingness to put God's will above our own desires and interests, and that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him.

Themes from Matthew 16

1. The Revelation of Jesus as the Christ — The chapter is a revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry, as He begins to focus on His impending death and resurrection.
2. The Importance of Confessing Jesus as the Christ — The chapter highlights the importance of confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession is a declaration of faith that sets the stage for the rest of the chapter and is a model for us of what it means to have a genuine faith in Jesus.
3. The Need for Self-Denial and Sacrifice in the Christian Life — The chapter emphasizes the need for self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life. Jesus teaches that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him, and that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.
4. The Reward of Following Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus will reward each person according to what they have done, and that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.
5. The Importance of Putting God's Will Above Our Own Desires and Interests — The chapter teaches that following Jesus requires a willingness to put God's will above our own desires and interests, and that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does it mean to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God? How can we apply this to our own lives?
2. What is the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and how can we avoid it in our own lives?
3. What does it mean to deny oneself and take up one's cross and follow Jesus? How can we apply this to our own lives?
4. What is the reward of following Jesus, and how can we be motivated to follow Him?
5. How can we balance the need for self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life with the need to care for ourselves and our families?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Matthew 16

	Sermon	Description
	Where Is the Fire? by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young man who came to his office. The young man had been in Nicaragua and witnessed the power of God there. He tells the speaker
	Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - Part 1 by Jackie Pullinger	In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching the gospel in a challenging environment. He talks about how he spent time with gangsters and criminals, sharing the
	Laws of Spiritual Progress - Part 2 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving up worldly possessions and desires in order to gain eternal life. He shares a quote from a missionary who said, "He
	And They Crucified Him by Art Katz	This sermon emphasizes the need for Christians to embrace the suffering and humility exemplified by the early church in the book of Acts. It challenges believers to confront the av
	Christ's Call Follow in My Footsteps by K.P. Yohannan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-denial and sacrificing our own desires for the sake of the cross and Calvary. He shares a personal story of his wife'
	If You Agree by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being wholly committed to Christ and spending time in prayer and studying the Word of God. He calls on the audience to sacr
	Books I Recommend With Comments - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life of John Wesley and his dedication to meeting with God every morning at 4 o'clock. The speaker recommends a book called "A Treasury of
	Please Sir Save Me! by William Booth	In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a gold miner on a ship that gets caught in a storm and starts sinking. A little girl asks the miner if he can swim, and he realizes
	Free to Do by Kathryn Kuhlman	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting God as the ultimate authority in our lives. He compares the disciplined self to an aviator who mu
	His and His Alone by K.P. Yohannan	In this sermon, the speaker addresses various topics such as the influence of media, the importance of reading the New Testament, and the power of one individual to make a differen

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 16

Matthew 16 is a chapter about the revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The chapter begins with the Pharisees and Sadducees asking Jesus for a sign from heaven, but Jesus refuses, saying that only an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. Jesus then warns His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and they finally understand that He is speaking about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, and they reply that some say He is John the Baptist, others say He is Elijah, and others say He is Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asks His disciples who they say He is, and Peter replies that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus blesses Peter for his confession and says that He will build His church on the rock of Peter's confession. The chapter ends with Jesus teaching about the importance of self-denial and sacrifice in the Christian life, and the need to put God's will above one's own desires and interests. As Matthew Henry writes, 'The church is built upon the rock of Peter's confession, and it is the duty of all Christians to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?