16Matthew 16

The Demand for a Miracle

1Some Pharisees and Sadducees who came to Jesus wanted to trap him, so they asked him to perform a miracle for them, to show that God approved of him.Select Matthew 16:1

2But Jesus answered, “When the sun is setting, you say, ‘We are going to have fine weather, because the sky is red.’Select Matthew 16:2

3And early in the morning you say, ‘It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark.’ You can predict the weather by looking at the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times!Select Matthew 16:3

4How evil and godless are the people of this day! You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of Jonah.” So he left them and went away.Select Matthew 16:4

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

5When the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake, they forgot to take any bread.Select Matthew 16:5

6Jesus said to them, “Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”Select Matthew 16:6

7They started discussing among themselves, “He says this because we didn't bring any bread.”Select Matthew 16:7

8Jesus knew what they were saying, so he asked them, “Why are you discussing among yourselves about not having any bread? What little faith you have!Select Matthew 16:8

9Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand men? How many baskets did you fill?Select Matthew 16:9

10And what about the seven loaves for the four thousand men? How many baskets did you fill?Select Matthew 16:10

11How is it that you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”Select Matthew 16:11

12Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.Select Matthew 16:12

Peter's Declaration about Jesus

13Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”Select Matthew 16:13

14“Some say John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet.”Select Matthew 16:14

15“What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”Select Matthew 16:15

16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”Select Matthew 16:16

17“Good for you, Simon son of John!” answered Jesus. “For this truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven.Select Matthew 16:17

18And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.Select Matthew 16:18

19I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”Select Matthew 16:19

20Then Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.Select Matthew 16:20

Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death

21From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life.”Select Matthew 16:21

22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “God forbid it, Lord!” he said. “That must never happen to you!”Select Matthew 16:22

23Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.”Select Matthew 16:23

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.Select Matthew 16:24

25For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.Select Matthew 16:25

26Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.Select Matthew 16:26

27For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.Select Matthew 16:27

28I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man come as King.”Select Matthew 16:28