Frameworks: Matthew's Gospel, chapter 16

 

(The objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)

   

FRAMEWORKS: Matthew, chapter 16

v.1-4 The Opposition demand a sign

v.5-12 The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

v.13-20 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

v.21-23 Jesus Predicts His Death

v.24-28 Principles of Discipleship

  

v.1-4 The Opposition demand a sign

 

v.1 (the opposition come again asking for a sign) The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

v.2,3 (he chides them – you can tell the weather but not understand what is going on in front of you) He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

v.4 (the only sign you'll get is that of Jonah) A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

 

 

v.5-12 The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

 

v.5 (they cross the lake but forget to take bread) When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.

v.6 (Jesus warns them against the yeast of the opposition) “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

v.7 (they wonder what this means) They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn't bring any bread.”

v.8 (so he questions them) Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?

v.9 (think back to the first big feeding) Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

v.10 (and then the second one) Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

v.11 (so what have I been talking about) How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

v.12 (they realise it's a problem of the teaching of the opposition) Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

  

  

v.13-20 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

 

v.13 (Jesus asks who people say he is) When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

v.14 (they give a variety of answers) They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

v.15 (but how about you?) “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

v.16 (Peter declares, he's the Son of God) Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

v.17 (right Peter, but that was my Father showing you that) Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

v.18 (so little stone, on this big rock of your pronouncement I will; build my followers and the enemy won't be able to stand against them) And I tell you that you are Peter, [The Greek word for Peter means rock] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [ That is, the realm of the dead] will not overcome it.

v.19 (I'll give you authority to bind and loose within my kingdom) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

v.20 (but don't tell anyone) Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

   

v.21-23 Jesus Predicts His Death

 

v.21 (he then starts explaining what must happen) From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

v.22 (Peter can't cope with this) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

v.23 (Jesus rebukes hm for thinking like the enemy) Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

   

  

v.24-28 Principles of Discipleship

 

v.24 (to be a disciple you need to give up your own way) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

v.25 (you can't hold on to your life, and when you let go, you'll find it) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

v.26 (gain the world and lose your soul; your soul is all important) What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

v.27 (you'll see me come in glory and then be rewarded) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

v.28 (my kingdom will appear before you die) “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”