Matthew 16 - Peter's Confession and Christ's Pronouncement

Introduction

A very familiar passage. But sometimes the familiar still has a wealth of detail to consider.

How do we get here?

1. Preparation & Inauguration of Ministry

Baptism by John → the Spirit descends, the Father affirms (Matt 3; Mark 1; Luke 3).

Temptation in the wilderness → Jesus resists Satan, showing He is the obedient Son (Matt 4; Luke 4).

First disciples called (John 1, Matt 4).

First miracle at Cana (John 2).

2. Early Galilean Ministry

Jesus teaches in synagogues and performs many healings and exorcisms (Mark 1).

Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5–7) or Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6).

Miracles: calming the storm, feeding the 5,000, raising Jairus’ daughter.

Growing crowds marvel at His authority — “Who is this man?” is the central question.

3. Authority, Conflict, and Growing Opposition

Jesus heals on the Sabbath, forgives sins, eats with sinners — clashing with Pharisees and scribes (Mark 2–3).

He is accused of being in league with Beelzebul (Mark 3:22).

In John, Jewish leaders increasingly oppose Him (John 5, 7).

Herod Antipas hears of Him and is unsettled (Mark 6:14–16).

4. Expansion of Ministry & Training of the Twelve

Jesus sends out the Twelve on mission (Matt 10; Mark 6; Luke 9).

More miracles: feeding the 4,000, walking on water.

Parables about the kingdom (Mark 4; Matt 13).

John the Baptist is executed by Herod (Mark 6; Matt 14).

Opposition intensifies: Pharisees demand signs, argue about traditions (Matt 15; Mark 7).

5. Withdrawal & Revelation

Jesus begins withdrawing from Galilee, going into Gentile regions (Tyre, Sidon, Caesarea Philippi).

He performs miracles for Gentiles (healing the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, Mark 7).

The disciples witness His power repeatedly, but often misunderstand.

Feeding of the 5,000 → walking on water → feeding of the 4,000 → these echo God’s provision in the wilderness.

In John 6, after the Bread of Life discourse, many disciples fall away.

Video Clip

1. The Great Question

Matthew 16:13–15 CSB

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

What about Caesarea Philippi?

It was located about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, at the base of Mount Hermon.

Originally called Paneas (after the Greek god Pan), it was famous for its cave and spring shrine to Pan.

Herod Philip (one of Herod the Great’s sons) rebuilt and expanded the city, naming it Caesarea Philippi (to honor Caesar and distinguish it from the coastal Caesarea Maritima).

Cultural and Religious climate?

The city was a center of pagan worship: shrines to Pan, Zeus, and other gods.

There was also a temple built for Caesar worship by Herod the Great.

Jewish population was present in the region, but the area was predominantly Gentile and pagan in character.

The “great question” - who do people say that the son of man is?

What titles does Jesus go by?

1. Jesus (his name)

2. “son of man” - used very frequently in the synoptic gospels

Jesus in his then-current ministry

Jesus in his coming crucifixion

Jesus in post-resurrection events

Meaning?

An idiomatic way of speaking of a human being

An angelic, supernatural figure often associated with apocalyptic scenarios of judgment

It was a term that could safely be used with some ambiguity; Matthew 10:16 “16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.”

Jesus in his parables at times wanted truth to be revealed and at other times to be concealed.

3. “messiah” (Christ, anointed one) - the woman at the well

4. “Rabbi” - a title of honor and respect given by the Jews to a doctor (teacher) of the Law

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Rabbi

The Pharisees loved to be called “Rabbi,” but Jesus told his disciples, “Do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren” (

5. “The Son” - (in John) - emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father

6. “I am...the bread of life, the light of the world, the good shepherd… (in John)

7. “Lord” - sir, master - used by disciples, some seeking help

However, none of these titles are in the responses of the disciples:

John the Baptist - bold preaching, calls for repentance

Elijah - miracles, confronting corrupt rulers, expected return before the “day of the Lord” (Mal 4:5–6)

Jeremiah - Deep compassion and sorrow for Israel, Prophetic warnings of coming judgment

“one of the prophets” - speaking God’s word with authority, calling for repentance, exposing injustice

2. The Great Confession

Matthew 16:16–17 CSB

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

Who was Simon Peter?

“Simon” - a very common name

“Peter” - the rock (John 1:42 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”). (Cephas, Aramaic; Petros, Greek)

A fisherman - practical, hardworking, and literate enough for trade, but not educated in the Scriptures like Pharisees or rabbis

Acts 4:13 - “uneducated,” a “common man” - an ordinary layperson

One of the “inner circle” along with James and John

Bold, brash?

walking on the water

John 6:68–69 68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

rebuking Jesus(!)

cutting off the servant’s ear in the garden

prominent ministry to the church in Acts

Was Charlie Kirk a bit like Peter? (Or maybe like Paul?)

Before this week would you have known who Charlie Kirk is? Assassinated on 9/10 while speaking at a college in Utah

Not formally educated (but clearly very intelligent)

Willing to boldly proclaim the gospel

You are the Messiah

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

It is unlikely that this is the first occasion on which the apostles thought of Jesus as Messiah; some such idea was surely in their minds from the beginning, and it was because they saw Jesus in this capacity that they left their homes and followed him. But as they lived and worked with him, their understanding of “Messiah” enlarged. We see this in the way Peter continued: he went on to say that Jesus was “the Son of the living God” (for Son of God see on 8:29; cf. 26:63). Jesus was God’s Anointed One, the One who was sent to do God’s will in a special way. It may not be easy to understand precisely what Peter thought the Anointed One would be and do (even with his insight that he was God’s Son), but he was certainly giving voice to an exalted view of Jesus. He could not have ascribed a higher place to him. His words bring out the essential being of our Lord in the most comprehensive expression in the Gospels.

You are the “Son of the living God”

Peter had previously said, “holy one of God” (Jn 6:69)

“the living God” - as distinguished from idols

“son of God” - again, not new, as this is used at Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration; demons used this title; the disciples when Jesus walks on water

These two titles together seem to pull everything together: promised messiah + son of God

3. The Great Promise

Matthew 16:18–20 CSB

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Roman Catholic Doctrine:

1. Peter is the rock, and holds unique, foundational authority distinct from the other apostles

2. The keys to the kingdom symbolize authority to govern

3. The authority to “bind and loose” is judicial and legislative — the ability to define doctrine and discipline

4. Peter’s office of authority (the “Petrine ministry”) was passed on to the bishops of Rome. Thus, the pope is seen as Peter’s successor, the chief shepherd under Christ, with universal jurisdiction over the church.

Baptists do not hold to this on account of both Biblical and historical reasons. Nevertheless, this passage of scripture is highly significant.

v.18 “Peter” - a stone, a rock

“this rock” - bedrock

To what or whom is Jesus referring?

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

“On this rock I will build my church” is a saying that has caused endless controversy in the church’s history. The big question is the meaning of this rock. Does it mean the man Peter? Or the faith Peter has just professed? Or is it the teaching of Jesus (as in 7:24)? Or Jesus himself?

One option (Heiser) - “against this rock”

I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible Jesus Declares War

The rock which Jesus referred to in this passage was neither Peter nor Himself; it was the rock on which they were standing—the foot of Mount Hermon, the demonic headquarters of the Old Testament and the Greek world.

Another option:

Matthew 2. The Polarization Enacted: From Jew to Gentile (13:53–16:20)

Jesus’ declaration, “You are Peter,” parallels Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ,” as if to say, “Since you can tell me who I am, I will tell you who you are.” The expression “this rock” almost certainly refers to Peter, following immediately after his name, just as the words following “the Christ” in v. 16 applied to Jesus. The play on words in the Greek between Peter’s name (Petros) and the word “rock” (petra) makes sense only if Peter is the rock and if Jesus is about to explain the significance of this identification.

Another option (Chrysostom - early church father):

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

the church is built on Peter’s confession of the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the truth that the Father has revealed to Peter

Or...should these be combined?

The Branch Exposition of the Bible, vol. 1: A Preacher’s Commentary of the New Testament 16:18–19. The Church

Jesus takes some trouble to explain how Peter came to have faith in Jesus’ Messiahship. ‘Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.’ And we remember that Peter was speaking as a representative of all the apostles. It is after Jesus has explained how Peter came to have faith that he then says, ‘and on this rock I will build my church’. So what is happening here?

(i) Peter is speaking as the leader of twelve apostles.

(ii) They have come to faith as a result of divine revelation.

(iii) Peter has confessed his faith in Jesus’ Messiahship.

(iv) Peter himself is promised a special part in the building of God’s church. His name [Greek Petros] means ‘rock’.

So what is ‘the rock’ on which the church is built? Surely it is apostolic revelation concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, which Peter will be the first to preach on the day of Pentecost. This fits all the requirements of the passage and it is also common NT teaching. The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (see

So...Peter, who represents the apostles, who preach Christ

What about the Roman Catholic teaching of the Pope and his supposed infallibility and headship of the church?

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

There is no doubting that Peter is assigned a preeminence (which we see clearly in the early chapters of Acts), but it is not an absolute preeminence and we must be careful in defining it. In any case there is no mention of any successors of Peter; whatever position is assigned to him is personal and not transmissible to those who would succeed him. Jesus is speaking of the apostle and not of those who followed him.

There is also no evidence that Peter was the head of the church in Rome, or that this church was over all of the other churches. History does as much to disprove this RC view as does proper interpretation of this passage.

“my church” - ecclesia

the first time this word occurs in the NT

one of only two mentions in the gospels

means “gathering” or “assembly” (of people); was a generic term that came to have a specific meaning in the NT.

Two senses used:

A smaller gathering of disciples (local church)

The universal or worldwide church (body of Christ)

“Gates of Hell”

Caesarea Philippi, given the associations of this area with Greek gods, Baal, the Nephilim, and the name “place of the serpent,” it should come as no surprise that it was also associated with the realm of the dead. The Canaanites taught that the Rephaim were the dead spirits of ancient kings, thus associating Bashan with the underworld. Interestingly enough, the Cave of Pan in Caesarea Philippi was called, “The Gates of Hades.” This may be related to the idea that the cave was believed to be a bottomless pit (see comments above). Against this background, Jesus’ statement following Peter’s confession that “the gates of Hades [hell] will not prevail against it (i.e., the church),” is very illuminating!

It seems then that the church is to be on the offensive!

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

nothing in this world or the next can overthrow the church

v. 19 “the keys of the kingdom of heaven”

The Gospel according to Matthew 1. Peter’s Confession, 16:13–28

Later in this Gospel Matthew will report that Jesus spoke of the scribes and Pharisees as shutting up the kingdom before people and thus preventing them from entering (23:13). Peter, by contrast, was to open the way. We see him doing this in

Applications

True faith is not just intellectual — it’s revealed by God and transforms us

Like Peter (or like Charlie Kirk), we are called to confess Christ boldly in a world of competing voices

The church is Christ’s — He builds it, not us. That gives confidence when we see weakness, opposition, or decline