Matthew 16 - They Wanted a Sign He Was the Messiah

Here comes the political religious leaders trying to test Jesus after all the miracles He had just performed. The Pharisees believed in life after death, the Sadducees did not. They still wanted Jesus to show them a sign from the skies to prove that He was the Messiah.

 1The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. Here comes the so called higher-ups (political religious leaders), trying to test Jesus after all the miracles He had just performed. The Pharisees (separated ones) believed in life after death, the Sadducees did not. They still wanted Jesus to show them a sign from the skies to prove that He was the Messiah.

 2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. Red sky at night, sailors delight.

 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Red sky in morning, sailors take warning. They knew how to interpret the weather by signs in the sky, but they could not interpret the signs of the times. Can you discern the signs of the times? "If you study God's word you can."

 4A 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. Jonah of the Old Testament being in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, then he converted Ninevah. (Luke 11:29-32). Just as Christ would be in the grave 3 days and three nights. (Matthew 12:39-40).

 5And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. As usual, the disciples were never prepared, always thinking of physical food instead of spiritual food. (These people liked to eat).

 6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. The leaven (yeast), hits every part of the bread and infects it. (Galatians 5:9). Just as false teachings do when they enter into a congregation or ministry. (2 Timothy 2:16-17). i.e. Beware of false teachers! (Those who teach traditions and doctrines of men).

 7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. They thought Christ was upset because they did not bring any bread, or that He was warning them not to buy bread from the Pharisees and Sadducees. However, Jesus was warning them about what comes out of the mouth of the Pharisees and Sadducees in there teachings. (They had a lot of babble).

 8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked them why they were so worried because they had no bread. Here they were in the presence of the "Bread of Life" but still did not understand. (Their minds were clouded by the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees). Don't let your mind get clouded up and confused by false teachings and the ways of the world. "Satan loves confusion!"

 9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? These were the (12) baskets of "fragments" that remained. (Matthew 14:20). Representing one basket for each of the twelve disciples and twelve tribes.

 10Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? These were the (7) baskets of fragments that was left. (Matthew 15:37). One idea would be that the word "fragments" (meaning broken), could represent those who are spiritually broken. We do not want to leave them behind, but gather them up so that they will come to the truth. Another meaning of "fragments" can be like "fragmented garbage" you may find in large groups and congregations. (Traditions of men and false teachings). They would be gathered up and separated from the truth. Either way, the disciples should have known that they did not need to worry about food when they were with Jesus.

 11How 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? Christ was not talking about food. He was talking about the false teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Lets compare the two; the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, the Sadducees did not. The Pharisees believed in the supernatural. The Sadducees believed in nothing spiritual. The Pharisees believed in the entire old testament as the inspired word of God. The Sadducees only believed in the first five books of the bible (Pentateuch, books of the law), as being inspired of God. So far apart in their beliefs, but yet they had one thing in common that Christ was talking about. Hypocrisy! In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1). Note that Luke hit it right on the head. These groups were a bunch of Hypocrites! (They taught one thing, but lived another). Hypocrisy is growing even more rapidly among the world today. "Do not be deceived."

 12Then 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. At last they understood that by "yeast" He meant the "deceptive teachings" of the Pharisees and Sadducees. "They look so godly." You know the ones; "I had a vision last night and God spoke to me." This is what happens in large congregations; confusion, false teaching, and traditions of men work there way in. If you are a true well learned Christian (no longer a child), you should not have these problems with false teachings and traditions of men. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Ephesians 4:14). Then we will not listen to those who try to turn truth to a lie. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:15). Learn and teach the truth, but better yet, "live the truth."

 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? The "Son of Man." Meaning "Christ in the flesh."

 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. The people assumed he was someone else.

 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Now Jesus asked the disciples.

 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Here comes Peter again grabbing all the attention. But, at least he got it right and answered. The Christ, (anointed one) the Son Jesus (only begotten) of the living God. The full title Jesus Christ, "Yeshua Messiah." (1 John 5:20).

 17And 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. God has blessed you Simon (Peter), for my Father in heaven has personally revealed this to you, this is not from any human force. Note: Jesus named him Peter (Cephas), but his name was Simon. (Peter meaning "Petros" a piece of rock). However, this refers to a "movable rock or stone." (John 1:42).

 18And 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. You are Peter, Greek G4074 "Petros" (piece of rock), a stone. And upon this "Rock" Greek G4073 "Petra" (meaning mass rock or bolder), an unmovable rock, I will build my church; and all the powers of hell will not prevail against it. This is a very controversial scripture between scholars. It is not Peter that Christ would build the church on, "Christ is the rock that the church will be built on." Peter and the apostles would go on to establish the Christian church in Acts 1 and 2, and Peter and Paul would be the ones who establish the first Christian church in Rome. (Peter was not the first pope). Now, with that being said, Jesus Christ is the "Unmovable Rock" that you want to build upon. Not Peter or the church that many claim. The apostle Paul tells us who the true rock and foundation of the church is. "Jesus Christ." For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus Christ is that only foundation we need to build on. (Matthew 16:18, Acts 4:11-12, Ephesians 2:20). And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: i.e. No way in hell will Satan ever prevail against this "Rock" or "Foundation" which is Christ! (Romans 8:33-39, Revelation 11:15, 21:1-4).

 19And 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. Christ has given us authority over this world and over Satan. Free yourself through Christ here on earth, and you will be free in heaven. But, if you bind yourself with the ways of the world here on earth, you will also be bound in heaven.

 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. He warned the others about telling He was the Messiah. It was not time yet for others to know. It was not His time yet for what lies ahead.

 21From 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. Jesus explained to His disciples about what was going to happen to Him, and that He would be killed by the religious political leaders. It was written long ago and Christ new it would happen that way. Where was it written? Psalm 22 tells all about the crucifixion of Christ. (Hebrews 2:14 and Hebrews 10 tell why Christ was crucified).

 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Peter was allowing his love for Christ to go against the prophecy about Messiah. He knew better, He just did not want to accept it. Jesus had been warning them for a while about what was ahead for Him. Sometimes its hard to accept what is ahead in our lives, but if we look to Christ, He will see us through even the toughest times.

 23But 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. Jesus was actually speaking to Satan, not Peter. Peter was being influenced by Satan here and was only thinking from a human point of view, not from God's point of view. How often are we influenced by Satan? We need to keep focused on Christ and think more spiritually, rather than worldly and in the flesh. (Romans 8:5-8, 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, Philippians 3:19, Colossians 3:2).

 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Christ was not speaking about some cross around your neck; Christ was speaking of the cross that He was crucified upon. We need to be that dedicated and willing to suffer the same as Christ did. Being a Christian will bring test and trials in your life. Are you willing to suffer a little for Christ? "He gave His life for you." (2 Timothy 3:12).

 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Anyone you keeps his life for himself will lose it; and anyone who loses his life for Christ shall find it again. If you love all the things of this world more than the spiritual things of the Kingdom you will lose your eternal life. But, if you if you are willing to give up the things of this world, your own desires, and follow Christ, you will find eternal life, and peace of mind in this world. (Revelation 12:11).

 26For 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? There is nothing here in this world that is worth losing your soul for. (Psalm 49:7-8, Mark 8:37).

 27For 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. When Christ returns, everyone will be judged according to their "works" (good deeds). "Not just faith." Faith will get you saved, but what good are you if you do not work for it. Your works are the only thing you can take with you when you die. (Revelation 2:23, 14:13, 22:12-15).

 28Verily 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. This appears to refer to the mediatorial kingdom which our Lord was about to set up, by the destruction of the Jewish nation and polity, and the diffusion of the gospel throughout the world. The King and His dominion! Christ defeated death in the first advent through the crucifixion and resurrection when He brought forth His Kingdom open to all who will.

Keep the faith,
Barton