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.”