Matthew 16:1-28
ST. PETER'S GREAT CONFESSION 1-4. A sign from heaven demanded (Mark 8:11 cp. Luke 11:16 : see on Matthew 12:38).... [ Continue Reading ]
ST. PETER'S GREAT CONFESSION 1-4. A sign from heaven demanded (Mark 8:11 cp. Luke 11:16 : see on Matthew 12:38).... [ Continue Reading ]
PHARISEES.. SADDUCEES] An unnatural and unholyalliance of men whose only bond of union was hatred of Jesus. The Sadducees had probably been sent from Jerusalem by the chief priests, but some regard them as the same as the Herodians mentioned by St. Mark, and, therefore, Galileans. FROM HEAVEN] Jewi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE SIGN OF THE PROPHET JONAS] RV 'the sign of Jonah.' St. Mark omits these words: See on Matthew 12:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE OTHER SIDE] i.e. the E. side. This favours the view that Magadan (Dalmanutha) was on the W. side.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES (Mark 8:14). But the narratives are independent. This incident could only be derived from an eyewitness and an apostle. The discreditable light in which it places the Apostles goes to confirm its authenticity.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND OF THE SADDUCEES] St. Mark says, 'of the Pharisees and of Herod.' Herod may have been a Sadducee in spite of his superstitious belief in John's resurrection, but, even if he was not, he exactly represented the secular, irreligious, worldly spirit of Sadduceeism. The l... [ Continue Reading ]
i> to Philippians 2:18href='470 16:6'>Mat 16:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAESAREA PHILIPPI] i.e. the Caesarea built by Philip the Tetrarch (see art. 'the Herods'), was situated at the sources of the Jordan, near the foot of Mt. Hermon (9,000 ft.), in the midst of magnificent scenery. It was a Gentile city, and was often called Paneas (now Banias), because the god Pan was... [ Continue Reading ]
ST. PETER'S CONFESSION (Mark 8:27; Luke 9:18). Jesus now undertook another distant excursion, partly to escape the hostility of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:4), but chiefly to hold private converse with His disciples, and to lead them on to the recognition of His Messiahship and divine Sonship, which w... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Matthew 14:2. Why do not the apostles mention the belief that Jesus was really the Messiah, among the current opinions? Because this belief no longer existed. Those who held it, had abandoned it because of His continued refusal to declare Himself (J n Matthew 6:15), and to do what was expected o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHRIST] i.e. 'the Messiah.' So also St. Mark; but St. Luke has 'the Christ of God.' THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD] These words, together with the next three vv., are peculiar to St. Matthew, but are nevertheless authentic. They suit the context admirably, and are so thoroughly Hebraic in spirit, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON BARJONA] i.e. Simon, son of Jonah. The full name harmonises with the solemnity of the occasion and the emotion of the speaker. In John 1:42; Peter's father is called 'Joanes' (John), of which Jonah is probably a contraction. FLESH AND BLOOD] corresponds exactly to the English expression 'morta... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART PETER] Gk. _Petros_ Aramaic, _Kephas._ Jesus had given Peter this name at their first interview (John 1:42). Peter had now realised his character, and Jesus solemnly confirmed the honourable title. AND UPON THIS ROCK] Gk. _petra._ As the Gk. word here is different, most ancient commentators... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN] i.e. the keys of the earthly Church, not of heaven itself. Peter is not here compared to the porter of a house, who has only the key of the gate, but, since he possesses _all_ the keys, to a house-steward exercising full authority over the house and all its inmates... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter rebuked. 21. Began Jesus] There had been intimations of his death before (Matthew 9:15; Matthew 12:40; John 2:19; John 3:14; John 6:51), but now they began to be more distinct. St. Mark says expressly, 'and He was speaking the word openly.'... [ Continue Reading ]
BE IT FAR, etc.] lit. 'God have mercy on thee.'... [ Continue Reading ]
SATAN] The sharpness of the words indicates a strong and intense emotion. The chief of the Apostles was addressed in the selfsame terms as those which had been spoken to the tempter. St. Peters suggestion was indeed something like a renewal of the same temptation. 'In this suggestion that He might o... [ Continue Reading ]
Exhortations to steadfastness and selfdenial in prospect of Christ's return. 24. See on Matthew 10:38. By the CROSS Jesus means primarily martyrdom, either in will or act, and not merely selfdenial, though this is included.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER WILL SAVE HIS LIFE (in this world in time of persecution by denying Me) SHALL LOSE IT. 26. Lose his own soul] RV 'forfeit his life.'... [ Continue Reading ]
This v. refers to the Last Judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
The most probable interpretation of this v. refers it to Christ's coming to overthrow the old dispensation by the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 a.d. The decisive phrase is, 'There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death.' This obviously excludes the Last Judgment, and, hardly less obvio... [ Continue Reading ]