Matthew 16:1. _The Pharisees also with the Sadducees_ "The Pharisees" (Mark). The coalition between these opposing sects can only be accounted for by the uniting influence of a strong common hostility against Jesus. _a sign from heaven_ They could not perceive the inner beauty of Christ's teaching,... [ Continue Reading ]
_the face of the sky_ Perhaps Jesus and his questioners were looking across the lake towards the cliffs of Gergesa, with the sky red from the reflected sunset. In Luke the signs are "a cloud rising in the west" and the blowing of the "south wind." _the signs of the times_ Which point in many ways t... [ Continue Reading ]
_adulterous_ See ch. Matthew 12:39. _the sign of the prophet Jonas_ See ch. Matthew 12:39-41. The words in Mark 8:12 are "there shall no sign be given unto this generation," i. e. no such sign as they demanded.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees Mark 8:14-21, where the rebuke of Christ is given more at length in stirring language; and Luke 12:1, where the context is different.... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is because we have taken no bread_ "Neither had they more than one loaf" (Mark). It is possible that Jesus may have employed figurative language even more than was usual with Eastern teachers; certainly this special metaphorical use of leaven was new. See Lightfoot _ad loc_. Again, the Pharisees... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then understood they_ The Greek word and its derivative is used specially of spiritual intelligence.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cesarea Philippi_ The most northerly point reached by our Lord. The city was rebuilt by Herod-Philip, who called it by his own name to distinguish it from Cæsarea Stratonis on the sea coast, the seat of the Roman government, and the scene of St Paul's imprisonment. The Greek name of this Cæsarea w... [ Continue Reading ]
The great Confession of St Peter, and the Promise given to him Mark 8:27-30: The question is put "while they were on the way," the words "the Son of the living God" are omitted, as also the blessing on Peter. Luke 9:18-20: Jesus was engaged in prayer alone; the words of the confession are "the Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jeremias_ Named by St Matthew only. He is mentioned as a representative of the Prophets, because in the Jewish Canon the book of Jeremiah came first of the Prophets, following the books of Kings. See Lightfoot, on ch. Matthew 27:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God_ This confession not only sees in Jesus the promised Messiah, but in the Messiah recognises the divine nature. He is more than one of the old prophets risen from the dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bar-jona_ "son of Jonah." Bar is Aramaic for son; cp. Barabbas, Bar-tholomew, Bar-nabas. _for flesh and blood,_ &c. Not man, but God; "flesh and blood" was a common Hebrew expression in this contrast.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church_ Cp. Isaiah 28:16, from which passage probably the expression is drawn. There is a play on the words "Peter" and "rock" which is lost in the E. V. It may be seen in a French rendering, "Tu es Pierre et sur cette pierre je bâtirai mon Eglise.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the keys of the kingdom of heaven_ This expression was not altogether new. To a Jew it would convey a definite meaning. He would think of the symbolic key given to a Scribe when admitted to his office, with which he was to open the treasury of the divine oracles. Peter was to be a Scribe in the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ_ Lest the Galilæan enthusiasm should endeavour to make Him a king.... [ Continue Reading ]
_From that time forth_ An important note of time. Now that the disciples have learned to acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah, He is able to instruct them in the true nature of the Kingdom. _elders and chief priests and scribes_=the Sanhedrin. See ch. Matthew 2:4, and Matthew 26:3. _be killed_ As y... [ Continue Reading ]
The Passion is foretold Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:22. St Luke omits the rebuke to Peter... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be it far from thee, Lord_ Literally, (1) "_may God pity thee_," i. e. "_give thee a better fate_," or (2) "_pity thyself_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Get thee behind me, Satan_ Peter takes the place of the tempter, and argues for the false kingdom instead of for the true. If the words of the tempter are in Peter's mouth he is addressed as the tempter; when he speaks the words of truth he is the foundation-stone of the Church. _an offence unto m... [ Continue Reading ]
_take up his cross_ St Luke adds "daily." The expression, ch. Matthew 10:38, differs slightly, "he that taketh not his cross," where see note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Self-renouncement required in Christ's followers. Their Reward. Mark 8:34 to Mark 9:1; Luke 9:23-27... [ Continue Reading ]
_whosoever will save his life shall lose it_ See note, ch. Matthew 10:39. Let Christ's follower lose the lower life on his cross, crucify his earthly affections, and he shall win the higher spiritual life here and hereafter. _will save_ Not the mere future, but= "shall resolve to save.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and lose his own soul_ The Greek word translated "life" in the preceding verse is here translated "soul," which is life in its highest phase.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_ The reason given why the higher life the soul is of priceless value: (1) The Judge is at hand who will condemn self-indulgence and all the works of the lower life, and will reward those who have denied themselves. (2) Further (Matthew 16:28) this judgment shall not be delayed it is very near.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Taste of death_ Compare The valiant never taste of death but once. _Jul. Caes._Act. ii. 2. St Matthew's version of this "hard saying" indicates more plainly than the other Synoptic Gospels, the personal presence of Christ. St Mark has, "till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power;" St... [ Continue Reading ]