Matthew 15:1 ¶ Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Yet again we read of the scribes and Pharisees finding fault with Jesus and His disciples. This time the offense concerns the ritual washing of hands before eating; the disciples were not following tradition. At least they got one thing right—the transgression was against “tradition” not God’s law.
Mark adds a bit more information: Mark 7:3–4 “For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.”
The Jewish New Testament Commentary again adds insight: “Mark’s explanation of n’tilat-yadayim, ritual handwashing, in these verses corresponds to the details set forth in Mishna tractate Yadayim. In the marketplace one may touch ceremonially impure things; the impurity is removed by rinsing up to the wrist. Orthodox Jews today observe n’tilat-yadayim before meals. The rationale for it has nothing to do with hygiene but is based on the idea that ‘a man’s home is his Temple,’ with the dining table his altar, the food his sacrifice and himself the cohen (priest). Since the Tanakh requires cohanim to be ceremonially pure before offering sacrifices on the Temple altar, the Oral Torah requires the same before eating a meal.”
Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Jesus turns the tables by noting that the scribes and Pharisees are breaking the commandment of God by following their tradition. Example—God commanded that one should “Honor thy father and mother.” In fact, anyone who cursed father or mother was to be put to death.
Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Exodus 21:17 “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”
Jesus then points out that they followed tradition that effectually circumvented God’s command. If they designated their money or belongings to the service of God, they did not have to provide the needed support to their father or mother—dishonoring them. Ellicott provides more insight in his commentary by explaining that this “…practice became an easy method of evading natural obligations. It might be pleaded in bar of the claims of nearest relationship, and yet all the while the man might retain the usufruct of his property, and defer the fulfillment of his vow to the last hour of life.”
usufruct = the right to use
Obeying God’s command supersedes tradition; they were breaking the law in spite of what their tradition allowed. Jesus is affirming that it is God’s will for children to help provide for their parents’ needs in accordance with their resources.
Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah to describe these religious leaders. Yes, Isaiah was speaking to the people of his day, but prophecy often proves to have more than one application or fulfillment.
Isaiah 29:13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men….”
Jesus calls a spade a spade; he calls these “religious leaders” hypocrites. They were pretending to honor God and obey His commands, but they were actually holding the traditions of men in higher esteem than the commands of God. Their professed worship of God was empty; they were professing in word and deed a piety they did not possess. They were perverting the word of God by teaching the commandments of men as doctrine or instruction from God.
This is a warning loud and clear for the Christian today. God knows what is in our hearts. No matter what we may profess or how we may act to impress people, God knows our motives. God knows whether our worship is sincere or for show. God is aware of every way His word is perverted to accommodate the desires of men.
Matthew 15:10 ¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Jesus now turns from addressing the scribes and Pharisees to addressing the crowds gathered around them. He basically calls out to the people and tells them to pay attention because what He is about to say is important.
The teaching, my paraphrase: It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; it’s what comes out of the mouth that defiles you. It’s not whether or not you have eaten without washing your hands; it’s how you reverence God and His word with your own words and actions. In other words, it’s what is on the inside that counts. I am reminded of God’s words to Samuel.
1 Samuel 16:7 “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Reminder—In context Jesus is addressing the traditions of men vs. the commandments of God and the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Application outside the context can result in false teaching.
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
The response of the disciples is almost laughable. They basically said—Don't you realize that what you said offended the Pharisees?
Though absurd to me, Jesus treated their question with dignity. He painted a word picture to make his point. He compared the religious leaders to plants and declared that unhealthy plants would be rooted up. In other words, their future was one of destruction.
Jesus also told them to leave them alone because they were blind men leading blind men and both would eventually end up destroyed. In other words, the religious leaders that were recognized for their knowledge of God’s word didn’t really understand it. Those that chose to believe the religious leaders instead of Jesus would follow them to destruction.
I cannot help but make a comparison to the false teachers so prominent today who are leading so many away from the truth of God’s word under the guise of a fake spirituality.
Matthew 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
Matthew 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
We know from Mark that Jesus and His disciples were alone when Peter spoke out and asked for further clarification..
Mark 7:17 “And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.”
It seems that he thought the Lord was using a parable instead of plain speaking. It also seems from His answer that Jesus was a bit discouraged that Peter didn’t get it. Patiently He reiterates the truth a bit more graphically. What you eat goes into the belly and back out again when you eliminate. The things that you speak come from your heart; they are what make a man unclean. It is the heart that gives birth to evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things that truly defile a man. Eating with unwashed hands does nothing to defile a man.
The Greek for evil “thoughts” is a reference to reasoning and applies directly to the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. The Greek for “fornication” also includes idolatry. “Blasphemy” is speaking evil of God.
Matthew 15:21 ¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
At this point Jesus departed for the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, Phoenician cities that were located in the land of today’s Lebanon. Mark tells us that He had hoped to avoid notice.
Mark 7:24 “And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.”
Evidently His works were known in that region, since a woman of Canaan, a Gentile, came to Jesus asking Him to deliver her daughter that was possessed by a devil. The woman must have persisted in her request since the disciples asked Him to send her away because she was bothering them.
Interesting to note is that she addressed Jesus as “Lord, thou Son of David.” I believe she purposely addressed Him so as to show that she recognized Him as the Messiah in direct contrast to so many in Israel. She pleaded with Him to show her mercy/compassion. Though He did not answer her at first, Jesus eventually declared that He had only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 15:25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
Matthew 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
The woman did not let the words of Jesus deter her. She really wanted help for her daughter. The Greek for the word “worshipped” in vs. 25 indicates that the woman fell down at His feet in an act of reverence and adoration for Him. What a contrast from the scribes and Pharisees who were of His own people!
Jesus then told her that it wasn’t right to take the children’s bread and give it to the “puppies”—a Greek word with reference to pets, not the derogatory word. She agreed with what He said; she knew that He was the Jewish Messiah and she was but a Gentile. So she compared herself to the puppies noting that they were allowed to eat the crumbs that fell from the table. Jesus recognized that she was a woman of great faith and declared that she would be rewarded; her daughter would be made whole—and she was, that very hour!
Mark adds another significant fact.
Mark 7:27 “But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”
He notes that Jesus said that the children (the Jews) were to be fed first, implying that the Gentiles were to be included in His provision. That statement provided the basis for her to continue to plead her case.
Matthew 15:29 ¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
After His encounter with the Canaanite woman, Jesus left the area and headed for the area around the Sea of Galilee. He then headed up a mountain and sat down. The multitudes were somehow made aware of His presence and soon gathered around Him bringing those that needed healing—the lame, blind, mute, maimed or deformed and many others. Mark singles out the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment.
Mark 7:32–36 “And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it….”
These miracles of healing amazed those who witnessed them and prompted them to glorify the God of Israel.
There were a couple of words in Mark’s record that caught my attention—“He sighed.” The Greek makes reference to grief and a groan. I think that is a response to the terrible impact the curse of sin has had throughout creation. Though He is relieving some of the effects of that curse for individuals, Jesus knows that to completely destroy that curse and redeem creation will require His death on the cross.
Matthew 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matthew 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
It seems that the multitudes were so great that Jesus was still working miracles three days later. As He had done at a previous time, He expressed His concern about their need for food. Many had traveled quite a way to see Him and faced a long trip home. The disciples responded as they had that previous time—expressing lack of resources.
Matthew 15:34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
Matthew 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
Matthew 15:38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
It’s like déjà vu! (Remember the feeding of the 5,000 recorded in the previous chapter.)
Jesus asked the disciples how many loaves were available. Maybe they had learned a bit because they were ready with an answer—seven and a few fishes. Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. He took the loaves and fishes and gave thanks to the Father. Once again he broke them into pieces and gave them to the disciples who gave to the multitude. Again, everyone ate until they were satisfied. This time there were only seven baskets of leftovers after feeding 4,000 men plus women and children.
Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
Finally, Jesus sent the multitudes away and once again boarded a ship and headed to the coasts of Magdala. Easton’s Dictionary points out that this is the birthplace of Mary Magdalene that was located about 3 miles northwest of Tiberias.
Matthew 16:1 ¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
This chapter opens with the Pharisees and Sadducees once again trying to discredit Jesus. David Guzik provides some interesting insight regarding the combined effort of these two groups to disprove Jesus: “Their working together showed a deep fear among the religious leaders. The Sadducees and Pharisees were long-standing enemies, and the fact that they came together against Jesus shows they regarded Him as a serious threat.”
This time they asked for a sign from heaven—implied, to prove that you are the Messiah. Jesus had already performed many miracles giving testimony to His identity. These men weren’t satisfied with those miracles; they wanted a sign from heaven, e.g., calling down fire from heaven like Elijah. Again, David Guzik provides some insight: “Tradition held that a sign done on earth could be a counterfeit from Satan, but signs done from heaven (coming in or from the sky) were assumed to be from God.”
Mark tells us that Jesus “sighed deeply in His spirit” before answering these men. I think that reflects His grief and justified frustration at their continued refusal to recognize Him despite all the evidence confirming Him. He identifies them as hypocrites—those presenting themselves as men of faith, yet were not—and emphasizes that truth as He continues to answer them.
With His answer, the Lord notes their ability to know the weather based on their observation of the sky, yet they aren’t able to connect the prophecies of scripture to the miracles/signs He has shown them. They understand that a red sky in the evening is an indicator of fair weather and that a red, overcast morning sky portends bad weather for the day. His question implying that they cannot recognize “the signs of the times” infers that the prophecies about Him were just as recognizable.
Conclusion—They were a “wicked and adulterous generation.” The word “wicked” is a reference to the truth that they were immoral and the word “adulterous” to the fact that they were apostate, had forsaken the principles of their faith. They were more focused on manmade traditions than God’s law. The fact that they were asking for yet another sign testified to that truth; they didn’t want to believe Him.
Jesus declares that He would give them no other sign than that of the prophet Jonah. This scripture tells us that one of the reasons for the record of the prophet Jonah was to testify of the Christ. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish and restored once again to the land of the living, so too would He be in the grave for three days and three nights before resurrecting to new life.
Having said that, He left them.
I couldn’t help but make a connection to all the people today who refuse to recognize the abundance of evidence testifying to God as our creator and the truth of His word. It’s because we live in a world ruled by the evil one. Just as prophesied, as the time nears for Jesus to return and assume the throne of David to rule the world, the influence of the enemy will become greater and greater. The “signs of the times” are all around us, yet even many in the “Christian” world refuse to recognize those signs.
Matthew 16:5 ¶ And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Matthew 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew notes that the disciples had forgotten to take some bread with them for their journey. Jesus spoke up warning the disciples to pay attention and “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” They immediately thought this remark was connected by His use of the word “leaven” to the fact that they had no bread. Jesus knew what they were discussing and attributed their response to having “little faith.” Had he not already demonstrated through the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 that He could abundantly provide food for them? Mark provides a bit more insight.
Mark 8:17–18 “And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?”
Jesus had expected them to remember past teaching and experiences to understand that His remark was connected to their encounter with the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees. They should have understood that He was using the word “leaven” to picture the false teaching of those religious leaders. Just as a little leaven can permeate the whole loaf of bread, so too can a little untruth (false doctrine) have great effect to the detriment of the body of believers. I like John Trapp’s wording: “…take heed of false doctrine; which is fitly called leaven, because it soureth, swelleth, spreadeth, corrupteth the whole lump, and all this secretly….”
“Then they understood” – At least they were teachable, and when pointed in the right direction, were able to make application.
I liked this quote from the NIV Commentary: “The miracles Jesus performs, unlike the signs the Pharisees demand, do not compel faith; but those with faith will perceive their significance.”
Matthew 16:13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Upon reaching the coasts of Caesarea Philippi (located at the foot of Mt. Hermon), Jesus posed a question to His disciples—“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
According to the book of Enoch, Mt. Hermon is in the land of Bashan and is the place where the angels made an oath to rebel and commit sexual sin with women, producing giant offspring that at death became evil spirits. In the Dead Sea scrolls they are called “bastard Spirits.”
I liked this observation from William Barclay: “Hard by Caesarea Philippi there rose a great hill, in which was a deep cavern; and that cavern was said to be the birthplace of the great god Pan, the god of nature. So much was Caesarea Philippi identified with that god that its original name was Panias, and to this day the place is known as Banias….Here indeed is a dramatic picture. Here is a homeless, penniless Galilaean carpenter, with twelve very ordinary men around him….He stands in an area littered with the temples of the Syrian gods….It is as if Jesus deliberately set himself against the background of the world's religions in all their history and their splendour, and demanded to be compared with them and to have the verdict given….”
The disciples noted that some thought He was John the Baptist (risen from the dead), some Elijah, and some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus now gets to the point of His question—“But whom say ye that I am?” Peter quickly speaks up and declares, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter didn’t hesitate; he knows that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the “living God,” the God of Israel.
Jesus pronounces a blessing on Peter for his faith. He also notes that it was through the revelation of God the Father in heaven that Peter was able to grasp that truth.
That is true for every believer. It is only by “grace…through faith” that anyone is saved. According to the Greek, grace is God’s divine influence upon our heart.
Another good quote from Barclay: “Christianity never consists in knowing about Jesus; it always consists in knowing Jesus. Jesus Christ demands a personal verdict. He did not ask only Peter, he asks every man: ‘You—what do you think of me?’”
By identifying Himself as the “Son of man,” Jesus was emphasizing His humanity. By attributing Peter’s revelation as coming from “my Father which is in heaven,” Jesus was declaring His divinity.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
“thou art Peter” and “upon this rock” – I think the wording aids our understanding of what Jesus is saying. Yes, Peter means rock; but He didn’t say upon “you” I will build my church. The rock upon which Jesus will build His church is a reference to the truth declared by Peter—Jesus is the Son of the living God. Scripture is clear that Jesus is the cornerstone of the temple of earthly believers known as the church; and beautiful to note, He calls it “my” church.
Ephesians 2:19–22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
1 Peter 2:5–6 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
Acts 4:10–12 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
I think it is also important to note the Jesus clearly states that HE will build His church. Yes, He will use people; but it will be through the ministry of the God’s Holy Spirit that men and women will come to saving faith. As noted in connection with the previous verse, it is by God’s grace, His influence upon one’s heart, that one comes to saving faith.
Jesus goes on to declare that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it—“it” being the church. This is a bold statement of the fact that in the end, Satan and his forces of death and evil will be destroyed and the church will enjoy eternal life in the presence of the Savior.
Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Those who possess keys in scripture are those who are invested with power and/or authority to provide or deny access to something. Jesus is investing Peter with the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” the knowledge that allows one access to God’s dwelling place. In chapter 18 we find that these keys are given to all of the disciples.
Matthew 18:15–18 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother….Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Regarding binding and loosing, I liked this quote from Guzik’s commentary: “We should understand this as Jesus giving both the permission and the authority to the first-generation apostles to make the rules for the early church - and indirectly, the inspired writings that would guide all generations of Christians." (France)
It is interesting to me that Peter is first designated as the holder of the keys, and it was through Peter that the Lord affirmed that Gentiles were to be given access to the kingdom (Acts 10-11). It was through joint collaboration of the apostles that it was determined that Gentiles should not be held accountable to Jewish law. It was through the writings of the apostles that Christian doctrine was established.
Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Why would Jesus give His disciples such a command? Because His time had not yet come, and He proceeds to explain that truth.
Matthew 16:21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
At this time Jesus began to teach His disciples about His coming death, burial and resurrection. He explained that in Jerusalem He would be persecuted by the elders, chief priests and scribes and would end up being killed; however, He would resurrect to life the third day after His death. Peter couldn’t process that such a thing could happen to the Messiah, the Son of the living God; so he rebuked Jesus and refuted the possibility that He would die. Side note: It’s amazing to me how the Jewish people have never recognized the prophecies of Isaiah 53. We have to so guard our propensity to see things from the perspective of what we want scripture to say rather than what it actually says.
After such praise from the Savior, Peter now receives a stinging retort—“Get thee behind me, Satan.” In essence, Peter was denying the very thing that would result in his salvation. Jesus attributed such a statement as coming from the mouth of Satan. It offended Him because it spoke directly to the reason for His incarnation. Such a statement was typical of man who sees things from a temporal perspective, but not of God who sees things from an eternal perspective.
Why Jerusalem? Matthew tells us in the words of Jesus.
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee….”
Another good quote from Barclay: “It is quite possible for love to be so protecting that it seeks to protect those it loves from the adventure of the warfare of the soldier of Christ, and from the strenuousness of the pathway of the pilgrim of God. What really wounded Jesus' heart and what really made him speak as he did, was that the tempter spoke to him that day through the fond but mistaken love of Peter's hot heart.”
Matthew 16:24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Now the message gets harder and more personal. Jesus basically says, “If you are going to follow me, you are going to have to carry your own cross.” The follower of Jesus needs to recognize that true life is found in being willing to die for your faith if necessary.
The hardest words for most of us I think, for me anyway, are “deny himself.” To take up one’s cross is to die to self. We live in a culture that promotes a focus on pleasing, promoting and profiting self. To deny self and take up the cross of Jesus is to try to live life in accordance with the truth of His word. Luke adds another important word—“take up his cross daily.” For me it is often hourly. To make such a choice is to go against the crowd, to be considered politically incorrect, to be termed intolerant, to be classified as radical, to reject most forms of entertainment, etc. Matthew sums it up this way:
Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
The key is to keep one’s focus on the eternal rather than on the here and now.
Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Matthew 6:19–21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
One who finds success in the eyes of the world has gained nothing if he/she hasn’t been redeemed spiritually. What does man have that God will accept as the price of redemption? The obvious answer—Nothing. Only by following Jesus in faith can one be redeemed.
The day is coming when Jesus, the Son of man, will come in all the glory of His Father with His angels to reward every person according to his/her works. Those who follow Jesus will be judged on just that.
John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
In Jesus, we are righteous! There is no charge that can be held to our account.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Those who choose not to follow Jesus, however, will be judged by their works. To sin in one point of the law is to sin and will result in the verdict—“Guilty.”
James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
These words of Jesus refer directly to the event recorded in the beginning of the next chapter—the transfiguration.