Jesus Is the Messiah, 16:13-20 (Mark 8:27-9:1; Luke 9:18-27).
[13] Caesarea Philippi was north of Lake Galilee near the base of Mt. Hermon. Philip the tetrarch built the city and named it after himself and Caesar Augustus. There was another city on the Mediterranean coast named Caesarea. For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. Here the title may not have had an obvious Messianic meaning. Otherwise, Jesus would have been giving Peter a clue to the correct answer.
[14] The disciples mentioned three prophets who were dead (John, Elijah, and Jeremiah). Herod thought Jesus was John come back to life (Matthew 14:2). Elijah was to prepare the way for the Messiah. In fact, Jesus said the figurative return of Elijah was in John (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14). Jeremiah and other prophets were suggested by the people.
[15-16] Peter is called by four names in the New Testament. Cephas was the name given to him by Jesus (John 1:42). Other references to that name are 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14. Peter is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Cephas. Simon, a form of Samuel, was his first name before he became a follower of Christ (John 1:42). Simeon is the Hebrew form of this name Simon (Acts 15:14). For “Christ,” see Matthew 1:1. The “living God” is a term used in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; Psalm 42:2; Daniel 6:20).
[17-18] Jesus indicated that the fact that He was the Son of God would empower Him to build His church. Peter received his understanding from God. The verses that follow (Matthew 16:21-28) certainly show that Peter did not fully understand what he had said. Jesus, not any man, is the foundation for the church (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-8). Jesus is the main part of the foundation (Ephesians 2:20). This is the first time the word “church” is used in the New Testament. Nothing would defeat the power of Christ. Death has great power over men. Christ defeated death with His resurrection (Acts 2:32; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 2 Timothy 1:10).
[19] “Keys” are a symbol of authority. This promise made to Peter was also made to all the apostles (Matthew 18:18), For “kingdom of heaven,” see Matthew 3:2. All of the apostles had the power to tell what was permitted and what was forbidden in the kingdom of God. Peter did have a prominent role in using the keys to open the kingdom for Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10).
[20] For the phrase “to tell no one,” see Matthew 8:4. The next verses show that they did not understand what God’s Messiah would do. Because they did not understand, it was best for them to keep quiet.
Matthew 16:21-28
21 From then on, Jesus began to show his followers that he must go away to Jerusalem; that the Jewish elders, the most important priests, and the teachers of the law would make him suffer many things; that he would be killed, but on the third day, he would rise from death. 22 But Peter came to him and began to correct him, “This will never happen to you, Lord!” 23 Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking something which might cause me to sin. You are not thinking the way that God thinks, but as man thinks.” 24 Then Jesus said to his followers, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must carry his cross and follow me. He must say no to himself. 25 The person who wants to save his life will lose it, but every person who gives his life for me will find it. 26 What good is it, if a person gains the whole world, but wrecks his own soul? What can a person use to trade for his soul? 27 I am ready to come with my angels in the glory of my Father. I will repay every person according to the kind of life he lived. 28 I am telling you the truth: There are some people standing here who will see me coming into my kingdom.”
Jesus Must Die, 16:21-28 (Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:22).
[21] Jesus began to show them what it meant to be Messiah. They must understand the Messiah. The Jewish religious leaders would turn against Him. Everything would happen according to the words of the prophets.
[22-23] Peter became a stumbling block. If he had his way, he would keep Christ from doing what He must do. Rather than saying, “Blessed are you” (verses 17-18), Jesus said Peter was being used by Satan. Peter must learn to understand God’s way.
[24] See Mark 8:34-9:1; Luke 9:23-27. Jesus went on to show them that self-sacrifice was necessary for anyone who wanted to follow Him. His follower must deny himself (see Philippians 2:5-8). A “cross” indicates self-denial. Self-denial means serving others as Jesus did. Paul said he had to die every day to himself (Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Romans 6:6-13). Luke 9:23 indicates it is a daily process.
[25-26] What is most important, possessions or your life? A person who serves Christ does not have to fear death because he knows he has eternal life. The man without Christ fears death because in death he loses all, his possessions and his life. Eternal life cannot be bought with worldly possessions. It is God’s free gift if we give our lives to Christ (Romans 6:23).
[27-28] For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. Men will be judged according to their deeds (Romans 2:6, 16; 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus said that some apostles would not die until He began His reign in His kingdom (see Mark 9:1). His reign began after His resurrection when He was exalted (Philippians 2:5-11). It was announced with “power” when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:1ff.). After that time the kingdom was a reality in the form of Christ’s church, not a thing of the future (Colossians 1:13).
Matthew 17:1-9
17 1 After six days, Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He went up on a tall mountain to be alone. 2 Jesus’ appearance began to change in front of them. His face was shining like the sun. His clothes became white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them. They were talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three holy tents here; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud came all around them. Suddenly, a Voice spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. He is the one you must listen to!” 6 When Peter, James, and John heard this, they fell to the ground and bowed. They were very frightened. 7 Jesus came to them and touched them. He said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” 8 They looked up. They saw no one else but Jesus. 9 As they were going down the mountain, Jesus gave them this command, “Don’t tell anyone about this vision until after I rise from death.”