UNROLL
A great outcrop of bare grey bedrock on a hillside near Caesarea Philippi at dawn, under a wide, pale, empty sky.

The Gospel According to

Matthew 16

Red skies, forgotten bread, and a rock on which Jesus says He will build His church.

28 verses≈ 5 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

The Demand for a Sign

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

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But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, 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 not the signs of the times.

A heavy, dark swell rolling across an open sea under a storm-grey sky.

A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”

Then He left them and went away.

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

MagadanSea of GalileeGalileeCaesarea Philippi

Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

Across the lake and north

From Magadan on the western shore, Jesus and the disciples cross the lake. Their road then runs about twenty-five miles north to “the region of Caesarea Philippi,” at the foot of Mount Hermon, at the edge of the land and far from the crowds.

When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread.

“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The disciples

They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”

Jesus

Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread?

Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Leaven, not bread

misheardJesus remindsthen they understood“Beware of theleaven”Jesus’ warning (16:6)They heard“bread”“we did not bring anybread”Remember theloaves5,000 fed, then 4,000(16:9–10)The real leaventhe teaching of thePharisees andSadducees

Whiteboard

The disciples hear the word leaven and think of their empty bread bag. Jesus walks them back through two miracles of bread so they will stop worrying about bread and see the real danger: a teaching that quietly works its way through everything.

Reflect

What leaven is in the dough?

Jesus said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Small ideas spread quietly. What teaching or attitude has been working its way into your thinking lately, and does it match what Jesus says?

Peter’s Confession of Christ

A tall reddish cliff with a dark cave mouth and carved niches above clear spring water among green trees at Caesarea Philippi.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

Jesus

on this rock I will build My church

Matthew 16:18

Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

Question

Quick question

The disciples reported what people were saying about Jesus.

Besides John the Baptist and Elijah, which prophet did some people name?

Christ’s Passion Foretold

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

Peter

“Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”

But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!

You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up Your Cross

Jesus

whoever loses his life for My sake will find it

Matthew 16:25

Bronze balance scales on a stone ledge at dusk, one pan heaped with gold and the other empty, above a vast landscape.

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Pray

Take up your cross

Jesus says, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Ask Him today for the courage to lose what you are holding on to, and to find your life in Him.

You’ve experienced

Matthew 16

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A verse to carry with you

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

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