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.”