Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times examines how religious leaders demanded signs while missing the Messiah before them. Jesus exposes sign-seeking as a wicked and adulterous heart and warns His disciples about the corrupting leaven of false doctrine. The passage shifts focus from public opinion to personal revelation and calls believers to discern the times through faith, not signs, and to know who Jesus truly is.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Audio
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
Matthew 16:1, Matthew 16:2-4, Matthew 23:27, Matthew 16:5-7, Galatians 5:13, Matthew 16:8-12, Acts 2:42, Matthew 16:13-14, Matthew 16:15, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16, John 6:66-69, Matthew 16:16, Acts 1:15, Acts 2:14, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 5:29, 1 Kings 19:16, Exodus 40:13-15, 1 Samuel 16:13, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 16:18, Revelation 21:14, 1 Corinthians 3:11,
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Introduction to Matthew Chapter 16
Tonight, we are looking at the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 16. The focus is on verses 1-18A. I am not completing verse 18 tonight. There are many things in this chapter I am not ready to touch yet. I thought I might cover a chapter a week, but I quickly realized that is not possible for me. We will simply take what we can get.
In today’s lesson, we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees join forces against Jesus. Legalists and liberals unite to disprove the truth. They desire a sign from heaven. They want manna, fire, or the sun standing still, as seen in Exodus 16:4, Joshua 10:12-13, and 1 Kings 18:38. Jesus says that demanding signs reveals a wicked and adulterous heart, according to Matthew 16:4. I do not believe it is good to require signs in order to believe.
Jesus then warns His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The disciples, as we often do, completely misunderstand what He is saying. Jesus asks who people say He is, and then asks who they say He is, in Matthew 16:13-15. What men say does not matter. What matters is who we personally say He is. The twelve already knew.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
The Scriptures state that the Lord will build His church upon Peter (Matthew 16:18). This raises the question of whether the Lord would truly build His church on a man. That question is left intentionally to the end because it draws attention. As I studied this passage more closely, I began to see more in it than I had before.
Overview of Matthew 16
Chapter 16 is divided into four sections. The first is the desire for a sign in verses 1-4. The second is the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in verses 5 through 12. Then the third is the statement, I will build my church, in verses 13 through 20. The fourth is the first instruction on crucifixion and resurrection in verses 21-28.
The desire for a sign begins in verses 1-4.
Matthew 16:1
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Now, if you remember, this testing of Jesus began with the Pharisees by themselves. Then we saw the Pharisees join forces with the scribes (Matthew 12:38). Now we see the Pharisees and the scribes join forces with the Sadducees. What we have is strict legalists joining with the most liberal group. The entire legalistic structure and the entire liberal structure, and everything in between, are now coming against Christ together.
They came tempting Him. The word tempting means to test, to scrutinize, and to entice. They were testing Him and trying to provoke Him to perform a sign from heaven. The Pharisees dismissed all the miracles Jesus had already performed as from Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24). They said those miracles were earthly and from the devil. As a result, they demanded something different. They wanted a sign from heaven.
They wanted manna to fall from heaven, as in the days of Moses (Exodus 16:4). These people wanted the sun to stand still, as in the days of Joshua (Joshua 10:12-13). They wanted fire to come down from heaven like Elijah (1 Kings 18:38). Stars fighting for them as they did in the days of the judges (Judges 5:20). Their position was that if He really was who He claimed to be, then He should prove it with a sign they could see in order to believe.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Jesus answers them directly. He tells them that they know how to read the sky and predict the weather, but they cannot discern the signs of the times. He calls them hypocrites and exposes their spiritual blindness.
Matthew 16:2–4
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
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?
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.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after what? A sign. If people have to have a sign to believe in Jesus Christ, He says you’re wicked and you’re adulterous.
The word times means an appointed or proper season. The Pharisees and Sadducees were more interested in discussing the weather than discerning the signs of the times. They could explain the weather, but they could not recognize the Messiah.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
I see the same problem today. Many Christians make sure they know tomorrow’s weather, but they do not care that the whole world lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19). They show little concern that we are on the brink of judgment. People can read the sky and predict rain or snow, yet they do not understand where we are spiritually. This is true in our day.
God’s people often seek to know the weather but rarely seek to understand the seriousness of the times we live in. Few go to bed without checking the forecast. Very few go to bed understanding the signs of the times (Luke 21:25–28). I said years ago that the signs in the heavens would follow (Luke 21:25), and they are following. God is going to make it easier for His people to pray, seek His face, and understand the times (2 Chronicles 7:14).
What I am saying is serious. People will begin to understand what time it is because they will see it around them. I do not know all that will happen, but I know it will not be good. I am not preaching doom and gloom. God protects His people (Psalm 91:1–7). I believe He will care for those who seek Him. I also believe He will make it easier for His people to pray.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
In the book of Judges, every time Israel fell into apostasy, oppression followed, and they cried out to God again (Judges 3:9). God made it easy for them to pray. I believe it will become easy for us to pray as well. Before long, people will cry out to God because of the times.
They came desiring a sign. The word means to ask, inquire, seek, or demand. They demanded a sign. Jesus said that a generation seeking a sign is wicked and adulterous (Matthew 16:4). Wicked means evil, harmful, corrupt, guilty, and diseased. Adulterous means exactly that. I believe He was speaking first to His generation. That generation was given the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:40). It was also the generation that witnessed His resurrection (Matthew 28:6).
I also believe this applies to our generation. We have the same sign they had, the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:40). Our faith cannot be built on signs. We desire manifestations, healings, and miracles. But if signs are what keep us, something is wrong with our hearts. If we must test God, our heart is adulterous.
Our faith cannot rest on any sign except the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). If we seek signs as the foundation of faith, we are wicked and adulterous. Faith is not founded on signs. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
We have to take the Word of God and put it into our hearts. We love Him because He is our husband (Isaiah 54:5). If I must constantly give my wife something to make her love me, then her love is not real. As soon as I stop giving, she will look for someone else. That is all that is holding her.
Jesus says if that is the condition of the heart, it is adulterous. If I must keep receiving something from Him in order to love Him, then my heart is adulterous. When the signs stop, the heart will run to another husband (Jeremiah 3:20). He calls that heart wicked and adulterous. Then He left and departed. That detail matters.
The Lord will not remain with people who constantly demand signs. He will not remain with Pharisees who are pious legalists or Sadducees who are worldly liberalists. This is an important principle. He departs from them and goes with His disciples (Matthew 16:4).
He remains with those who follow Him, learn of Him, and seek after Him (Matthew 11:29). These are people whose hearts are not set on signs but on love and adoration for Him. We must be careful with the sign issue. Saying, Lord, if you do this or that, is asking for a sign. Our hearts must be turned fully toward the Lord. We must diligently seek Him because He is our husband (Hosea 2:19-20).
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Section Two: The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5-12)
The next part of the chapter begins, the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, verses 5 through 12.
Matthew 16:5-7
5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Now, what were they thinking about? Bread. They were thinking about how they had forgotten to bring bread. Their minds were fixed on that. Because of that, when Jesus spoke, they immediately thought about bread and missed what He was saying. We do the same thing when our thinking is already set.
Jesus told them to take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Take heed means to stare at, discern clearly, and attend to. Beware means to hold the mind toward, to pay attention to, and to apply oneself with caution. Jesus was telling them to watch these people closely, to discern them carefully, and to be cautious.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
What I see is that this kind of warning works best inside the local church. The Lord’s purpose is His church (Ephesians 3:10). He brings ministry into the church so you can watch them, observe them, discern them, and attend to them as He commands. You cannot do that with a television ministry or with people you do not do life with or walk alongside. That does not mean they are not called of God. It means you cannot properly discern them.
He warns about their leaven. Leaven means to ferment. It works inside and causes corruption. It can spread and affect the whole person (Galatians 5:9). The scribes and Pharisees were legalists. They can be compared to strict fundamentalist or denominational teachings today. They focus on outward holiness, appearance, behavior, and tradition. Outwardly, they seem right. Inwardly, Jesus says they are dead and corrupt (Matthew 23:27).
Matthew 23:27
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
They have a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). When you only watch them for a short time, everything appears fine. You cannot truly stare at them, attend to them, or observe them the way Jesus commands. You cannot hold your mind toward them because you do not live life with them. He wants you to know your ministry and know what it really is.
I am not saying all people fall into one group or another. I am not placing everyone into Pharisees or Sadducees categories. They can be full of dead men’s bones. They can be full of hate, vengeance, resentment, or lust. Outwardly, they appear correct, but inwardly, they are rotten (Matthew 23:27).
The only way to know what is truly inside a person is to be around them regularly. You must live with them and see them consistently. Pharisees still exist today. They are those who hold to tradition regardless of what the Word of God teaches. Because of tradition, the Word of God is made of no effect (Matthew 15:6). They look right, act right, and speak right, yet something inside is wrong. Jesus says to beware.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
The Sadducees were and are the liberals. They are the worldly group. They hold liberal views of holiness and place great value on earthly treasures. History records them as people who enjoyed the blessings of God but did not observe the holiness of God. They emphasize God’s goodness in blessing, and if blessings are absent, they lose interest in God. They appear today in extreme liberal doctrines and denominations that elevate blessing and liberty above righteousness and holiness.
This is dangerous. When righteousness and holiness are replaced with a pursuit of blessing, serious problems follow. Sadducees interpret the Word to adapt to their lives rather than adapting their lives to the Word. They focus on blessing and forget holiness.
Inside, both Pharisees and Sadducees are rotten. The Pharisees simply hide it better. They twist the Word to fit their lives.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16:8-12
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?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
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?
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.
In verses 11 and 12, Jesus explains that the disciples missed His meaning. He says He was not speaking about bread but warning them about the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They finally understood He meant their doctrine.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Doctrine refers to their teaching, their instruction, and what they truly are. The Today’s English Bible says to guard against the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The NIV says to guard against their teachings. The Phillips Bible says to beware of the influence of their teachings.
He is issuing a strong warning, and we must take it seriously. We are to take heed and beware of all ministry. I want you to beware of me, too. Not because I am trying to deceive you, but because being watched causes accountability. When people know they are being observed, they tend to walk more carefully.
I want you to watch me and provoke me to righteousness. I believe the ministry should not be given an inch. One day I may answer for that, but I believe that when someone is called of God, they should walk like a godly person.
We must take heed, stare at, discern clearly, and pay attention when legalists teach outward holiness while inwardly they are full of death (Matthew 23:27). The Lord’s purpose is His church. Everything He intends is to come out of and through His church.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
We cannot properly stare at, discern clearly, or pay adequate attention to ministries outside the local church. This does not mean they are not of God or without purpose. It does mean their teachings should not be applied without great caution.
We must also take heed, stare at, discern clearly, and pay attention when worldly liberalists teach excessive liberty, often liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Galatians 5:13). This is not always sensual sin, but a justification of their own lives, which becomes leavened teaching.
Galatians 5:13
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
In other words, the Word of God is altered to suit the person. The Pharisees are legalistic. They want to look right, act right, talk right, and say the right things. Inwardly, they are dead men’s bones (Matthew 23:27). The Sadducees change the Word of God to fit who they are, and that makes them right in their own eyes.
Which one is worse? To Jesus, they are the same. Both are poison. The Pharisee is no better in the eyes of Jesus than the Sadducee. Too liberal is just as poisonous as too legalistic. Both must be watched and discerned.
The pure Word of God, not made legalistic and not made liberal, is the only correct doctrine. The Bible teaches that the apostolic, New Testament church continued in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). I believe we still need the apostles’ doctrine. I believe we still need people known as apostles of God who speak with authority.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Acts 2:42
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Transition Toward the Building of the Church
I believe Charles Simpson is an apostle of God. I asked him questions that puzzled me, and I received insight. This is how we will understand what is happening and what the Word of God is saying. We must return to what the New Testament church did: go back to the apostles.
The Disciples’ Lack of Understanding and Little Faith
In verses 7 through 10, the disciples reasoned among themselves and said it was because they had taken no bread. When Jesus perceived this, He said they had little faith and asked why they reasoned about bread. He reminded them of the five loaves and the five thousand, and the seven loaves and the four thousand. They completely missed what He was saying.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
I have done the same thing. My mind was already programmed because I thought I had forgotten the bread (not literally). When Jesus spoke, I immediately thought in that direction. We get programmed to think a certain way, and when the Lord speaks, we interpret everything through that mindset. When that happens, we miss what God is trying to tell us.
This was the third time He called them little faith. The first time was in Matthew 6:30, concerning material things. The second time was in Matthew 8:26, concerning fear. This time, it was concerning understanding. He said they did not yet understand or remember. Little faith happens when we do not understand the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
When we truly hear and understand the Word of God, faith grows. Our level of faith increases as our understanding deepens. That is why I believe we will see what we want to see happen when we understand what the Word of God is really saying. I believe we still have much indoctrination of the Pharisees and Sadducees in us. We must find the true meaning of the Word of God. I believe it will require going back to the apostles.
Jesus then says, I will build my church (Matthew 16:18).
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16:13-14
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?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
In Matthew 16:13–14, Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi and asked His disciples who men (i.e., people) said He was. They answered that some said John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah. These answers showed the opinions people held about Jesus.
People knew He was a man of God, but they did not see Him for who He truly is. Jesus then asked His disciples who they said He was. That question shifted the focus from public opinion to personal understanding.
Matthew 16:15
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
People around us talk about Jesus in many different ways. What matters is how we know Him personally. It is more important to know who He is than to be concerned with what others think. The issue is whether we see Him as the Christ, as Prophet, Priest, and King.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Establishing a Necessary Foundation from Matthew 14
To properly interpret this passage, a fact must be established from Matthew chapter 14. In Matthew 14:33, after Jesus walked on the water and returned to the boat, those in the ship worshiped Him and declared that He was the Son of God. This shows the disciples already knew who He was before Matthew chapter 16.
Matthew 14:33
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
What I want you to see is that they already knew who Jesus was. This was not an on-the-spot revelation that Peter suddenly received. Before we interpret the statement about building the church on Peter, we must understand that these men already knew who Jesus was. It was not a new revelation revealed only at that moment, even though many of us have been taught otherwise.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16:16
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 14:33 shows that they already recognized who He was. Because of that, we must reconsider how we read this passage. I do not believe Peter suddenly figured it out while the others did not. I believe they already knew.
John chapter 6 confirms this. After Jesus fed the thousands, many followed Him in search of more signs and food. When He spoke hard words, many disciples left and walked with Him no more (John 6:66). Jesus then asked the twelve if they would also go away.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
John 6:66–69
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Peter answered for the group, saying they had nowhere else to go. He said they believed and were sure that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:68-69). This shows the apostles already knew who Jesus was. It was not a sudden or mystical revelation. They already understood.
To properly interpret this passage of Scripture, this point is critical. Matthew 16:15–20 must be interpreted in light of Matthew 14:33, which states that the disciples already knew who Jesus was. This is also confirmed in John 6:68–69. The twelve, as a group, knew who Jesus, the Son of Man, was. That foundation must be established first.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
The Emphasis on “You” and the Plural Address
Jesus then asks, but whom say you that I am? The emphasis is on the word “you.” The stress is strong and deliberate. The pronoun is second-person plural. Jesus is addressing all twelve together. This emphasis is noted in Hendrickson’s commentary. The question places responsibility on the group, not on any one individual.
The question is addressed to the twelve as a whole. It is plural. One of the twelve answers, and that one is Peter. He answers what they all already knew. This was not an on-the-spot revelation.
What the Lord is interested in is who His disciples believe He is. He is just as interested today in who His disciples say that He is. This leads to Peter’s response in Matthew 16:16: Simon Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter speaks as the spokesman and undisputed leader of the twelve. He is answering on behalf of them all.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16:16
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Now I want to show why Peter answered. He did not answer because he suddenly received a revelation. He answered because he was the undisputed leader of the group and regularly represented the twelve. Seeing this helped me better understand the passage.
Scripture after scripture shows Peter as the spokesman. In Matthew 15:15–16, Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable. In Matthew 19:27–28, Peter speaks for the group about forsaking all. Then in Matthew 26:35, Peter declares his loyalty, and the others agree. In Matthew 26:40, Jesus addresses Peter when finding the disciples asleep, even though the rebuke applies to more than one.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
In Luke 8:45, when Jesus asks who touched Him, Peter speaks for those with Him. Then in Luke 9:32–33, Peter speaks again while the others are present. In Luke 12:41, Peter asks whether the parable is spoken to them. These passages show Peter consistently acting as spokesman.
This pattern continues in John 6:67–69. Jesus addresses the twelve, asking if they will go away. Peter answers for them, confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In Acts 1:15, Peter stands in the midst of the disciples and speaks as the others gather around him. This consistently shows Peter functioning as the leader and spokesman of the twelve.
Peter’s Leadership in the Early Church
Acts 1:15
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Acts 2:14
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:37–38
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 5:29
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Who’s the leader? Peter is the spokesman. So Scripture shows that Peter was the leader and the spokesman of the Twelve.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
This point is very important for interpreting this passage. Peter answered for the twelve, but all twelve already knew who Jesus was. That must be understood first. When Jesus asked, who do you say that I am, He was speaking to all twelve. Peter answered because he was the spokesman. He did not say anything that the others did not already know. They all knew He was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
This matters because Jesus is about to speak about building His church on Peter. Peter turns and answers because that is what he always did. He spoke for the group. His confession was not unique information. It was a shared understanding.
The Meaning of Christ and the Anointed Offices
The word Christ means the anointed one, the Messiah. They had already identified Jesus as the Christ. In the Old Testament, three offices were anointed. These were the prophet, the priest, and the king.
1 Kings 19:16
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Exodus 40:13–15
13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
1 Samuel 16:13
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
These passages show that prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed. Because of this, there were prophecies of a coming anointed one. When that anointed one came, He would fulfill all three offices. He would be prophet, priest, and king. These Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Jesus came as the anointed one. He came as the prophet, the priest, and the king. They recognized Him that way. We must recognize Him the same way. Many see Him as Savior or as the baptizer, and He is. But seeing Him as the Christ means seeing Him as prophet, priest, and king, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
They saw Him as king. In Acts 1:6, they asked if He would now establish His kingdom. I believe He wants His church to see Him as king.
Revelation from the Father, Not Flesh and Blood
In Matthew 16:17, Jesus says that flesh and blood did not reveal this to Simon Barjona. The Father in heaven revealed it.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16:17
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.
Now, Barjona means son of Jonah. Simon is a natural man with a natural father. He is flesh and blood. The Lord is telling him that there is no way he could have known this on his own. The Father had to reveal it to him. He did not learn it from a tape, a book, or a meeting.
There is nothing wrong with hearing, teaching, or reading books. But unless the Father quickens it, it remains theory. When a person truly sees Jesus as prophet, priest, and king, it changes them. It becomes something lived and revealed, not just something heard. Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
You live out that Jesus is the prophet, the priest, and the king. That is how this revelation works. Flesh and blood cannot reveal it. It must be revealed by the Father in heaven. That is how it must come to each of us.
Peter and the eleven were not taught by man that Jesus was the Christ. They did not learn it from a book or a tape. It was revealed to them by the Father. Because of that, Jesus calls Peter blessed.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
In verse 18, Jesus says that Simon is now Peter, and upon this rock He will build His church.
Matthew 16:18
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.
I will not finish this verse. We will start here again next week. There are things coming in verse 19 about binding and loosing that I have mentioned but never really developed.
I want us to see that it is Peter that the church is built on, and that Peter can bind and loose. The word Peter comes from the Greek Petros and means “a piece of the rock.” Simon does not mean reed. In Greek, it means to hear or to understand. Simon means hearing intelligently. Peter was not a dull fisherman. He was an intelligent man who would become a rock.
Common Objections to Building the Church on Peter
Much has been written about this verse to prove that Jesus was not really talking about building His church on Peter. Many argue that Jesus could not build His church on a man. As a result, several theological positions have emerged.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
One position says the passage is unauthentic and was added later to enhance Peter’s authority. If that is true, then how much of the Word is unauthentic? Either all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, or it is not. When something does not fit a person’s system, they call it unauthentic.
Another position says Jesus was speaking about Himself as the rock, not Peter, and that He had finished addressing Peter. That interpretation is widely used but unscriptural. The tense of the word “you” never changes from verse 17 through verse 19. The person addressed in verse 17 is the same person addressed in verses 18 and 19. That person is Peter.
A third position claims Jesus spoke in Aramaic, and there was confusion between Peter and the rock. This suggests the Lord could not clearly communicate what He meant.
Another position teaches that Peter was the first pope and that authority was passed down through the Roman Catholic system. This view drives the rejection of the other interpretations because people fear that level of authority.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
The concern is that making a man the rock takes away from the preeminence of Christ. That concern sounds honorable, but it is not what the Scripture is saying. Instead of twisting Scripture, we need to understand what is actually being said. The real problem is that we are afraid of God using a man.
The Plain Meaning of the Text
Regardless of how anyone interprets this verse, it clearly says that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. It says the church is built upon Peter. That is what the words state.
Hendrickson illustrates this by saying that if a sentence reads, “You are Margaret, and upon this pearl I will bestow a favor,” the pearl can only refer to Margaret. Even though the word pearl has other meanings, the sentence structure fixes the reference. In the same way, the rock refers to Peter. The sentence structure does not change the subject.
This means the Word of God says exactly what it says. Jesus promised Peter that He would build His church on Peter. I believe this is shown both individually and corporately. The church is built individually and corporately.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Acts 1:1–12 shows the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to Peter. Peter’s name appears more than fifty times in the early chapters of Acts. His name appears in every chapter except chapters 6 and 7. Before Paul’s ministry developed, Peter was the strongest human link between Jesus and the church. He was the primary influence in the early growth of the church.
In Acts 2:14–41, Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand were converted. In Acts 3:11–4:4, Peter’s testimony brought two thousand more. Acts 1:15–22 shows that Peter led the replacement of Judas Iscariot. In Acts 3:4–6, Peter was used in the healing of the beggar. In Acts 4:8–12 and Acts 4:29, Peter proclaimed Christ before the Sanhedrin. Acts 10 shows that Peter preached the first gospel message to the Gentiles. In Acts 11, Peter defended that work and opened the door of the church to the Gentiles. John 21:15–17 says that Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep.
When all of this is considered, Matthew 16:18 becomes clearer. The church was built upon the ministry of Peter. He was the closest human link between Jesus and the early church.
Individual and Corporate Application
Corporately, Jesus addressed the twelve when He asked who they said He was. The you was plural. Peter answered as the spokesman. Jesus then addressed Peter. Peter spoke for the twelve, and Jesus spoke to Peter for the twelve. This makes the statement both personal and corporate.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
The foundation ministry was not just Peter alone. There was a plurality. Peter was not the only apostle and not the only ministry. Without the other apostles, Peter could not have accomplished what he did. Ephesians 2:20 confirms this by saying the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone.
So what are we built upon? Apostles and prophets, and these guys were the apostles, and they were prophets, and Revelation 21:14 talks about these twelve foundations.
Revelation 21:14
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
This is speaking about the heavenly Jerusalem. It is speaking about the church, the bride of Christ. In Revelation 21:9, the angel invites John to see the Lamb’s bride. John is taken in the Spirit to a mountain and shown the city. The city is the Lamb’s bride. The church is this city. The heavenly Jerusalem, which is the Lamb’s bride, is built upon the foundation of the twelve apostles. That is what is shown there.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
At the same time, 1 Corinthians 3:11 states that no other foundation can be laid except the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Christ’s Preeminence and God’s Use of Men
Jesus Christ is the preeminent foundation. Everything goes back to Him. Whether we speak of the foundation or the pinnacle, it must all return to Him. If it does not, then we are missing it. He is the cornerstone, the foundation, the pinnacle, the stones, the mortar, and everything.
Jesus Christ always has the preeminence. He is the body, the head, the mind, and the hands. Yet He still chooses to use people. He can use a donkey if He wants to (Numbers 22:28), but He primarily uses men.
This passage speaks specifically of Peter, but it also speaks of plurality. Peter, as leader, was to take the eleven and begin the work given to him. That was his charge, and Scripture shows that he and the others fulfilled it. This interpretation aligns with all Scripture.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Closing Emphasis: I Will Build My Church
The central truth is this. Jesus said, I will build my church (Matthew 16:18). It is His church, and He will build it. However, He chooses to do it, and whoever He chooses to use, it is His right. If He builds it on Peter or on James, that is His decision.
In the early years of the church, Peter was the key instrument in its building. Looking at these Scriptures makes that clear.
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
Matthew 16 Part 1 How to Discern the Signs of the Times
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