Matt5-1

The style and makeup of each set of individual studies - e.g. the first one immediately below - will become obvious. We have put in the verse answers to each of the 'Find Out' questions, but you will get most out of the study if you have an open Bible alongside you and you look out the verse yourself.

The primary objectives of these studies are a) to get you to read the Bible and b) to take in what you have read. At the end of each page of studies (normally a chapter) there will be a 'Recap' to remind you of what you have read. At the end of every 'set' (see the front Contents page) there will also be a 'Summary' and a 'Conclusions' that cover the pages in that set.

Chapter: Matthew 16

Title: INTRODUCTION

Growing tension in Matthew's Gospel:

In the previous four sets of Studies in Matthew's Gospel, Arrival Announced (Ch.1-4), Sermon on the Mount (Ch.5-7), Authorised Activity (Ch.8-11), and Arriving Awareness (Ch.12-15) we have seen much of Jesus' ministry and a gradual building of hostility from the Pharisees and other religious leaders of the day. Awful Announcements takes us on with further conflicts with the religious establishment, but the thing that starts really putting an edge on the activities of Jesus' ministry is his frequent announcements to his disciples that he is going to be killed. In 3 of these 5 chapters in this set of Studies we will find Jesus making these awful announcements.

Audiences with the King

We've said in these Studies that Matthew shows Jesus as the coming king. If that is so, then these chapters show us a considerable number of people having an audience with the king: Peter, James & John, a distraught father and then Peter again, in chapter 17, the disciples in chapter 18, Pharisees, parents and a rich young man in chapter 19, the disciples, the mother of James and John and two blind men in chapter 20.

The Breakdown of this set of Studies:

We will consider each chapter under the following headings:

  Chapter 16   - Conflict, Confession & the Cross

  Chapter 17   - Transfiguration, Trying Times & Taxes

  Chapter 18   - Teaching on humility & mercy

  Chapter 19   - Questions & Answers

Chapter 20   - Kingdom Values

PART 1 : “Conflict, Confession & the Cross”

In this first Part of this set of Studies we'll see, first of all, how the Pharisees and Sadducees come into conflict with Jesus yet again. Contrasting their unbelief, we'll then see Peter's amazing confession of who he thinks Jesus is. Finally we'll then see Jesus explaining to the disciples what must happen to him. Watch the different responses to Jesus in each case. Some good, some not so good!

Chapter: Matthew 16

Passage: Matthew 16:1-4

A. Find Out:

1. Who came to do what to Jesus? v.1a

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him

2. How did they intend to do that? v.1b

by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

3. What, in every day life, did they say? v.2,3a

He replied, "When evening comes, you say, `It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, `Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.'

4. What did he say they could and couldn't do? v.3b

You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times

5. Who did he say looks for what? v.4a

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign

6. Yet only what will they be given? v.4b

but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah."

B. Think:

1. What did the religious people want?

2. How did Jesus describe them? Why do you think he did that?

3. What do you think was the sign of Jonah? (? read Jonah)

C. Comment:

Note first, the request of the Pharisees and Sadducees, these representatives of religious orthodoxy in its different forms. We want a sign, they say, go on, prove yourself! Religious orthodoxy is always critical. In fact they want Jesus NOT to be able to do something; they want to show him up as a fraud, for he is in opposition to their way of doing things!

Then comes Jesus' reply. It is as if he says, Now isn't that strange that you who are so able to interpret the sky, and forecast the next day's weather, can't interpret what is happening around you. The implication being, if you had watched all that I am doing and saying, with open minds, then you would know quite clearly who I am!

Then comes Jesus' denunciation of them (for although it appears a general comment, it must apply directly to them): you are wicked (mischievous and underhanded) and adulterous (you blend humanism with so-called religion, you have a man-made orthodoxy that has watered down a real relationship with God).

Finally comes his one offer: yes, you can have a sign, that of Jonah, of death followed by resurrection. That's all you will have, if you are too blind to see that my daily activity comes from God.

D. Application:

1. Self-centred unbelief demands things on its terms.

2. God calls us to walk by faith, not by sight.

Chapter: Matthew 16

Passage: Matthew 16:5-12

A. Find Out:

1. Against what did Jesus warn? v.6

"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

2. What did the disciples assume? v.5,7

When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.... They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

3. To what did Jesus refer them? v.8-10

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don't you 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?

4. So what does Jesus reiterate? v.11

How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

5. What did the disciples then realise? v.12

Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

B. Think:

1. How did the disciples show they were thinking in materialistic terms?

2. How did Jesus show he was speaking in spiritual terms?

C. Comment:

Let's consider just what happened first of all, and then the meaning of it. The disciples forgot to bring bread, Jesus made a comment about yeast, the disciples assumed it was to do with bread that he was speaking, Jesus corrected them, and they understood.

Note first of all, the thinking of the disciples. Perhaps they felt guilty about forgetting the bread and so that dominated their thinking. When Jesus spoke about yeast they linked that to the subject on their minds. Presumably they thought Jesus was saying don't go buying bread from the Pharisees. When we feel guilty it can completely distort our thinking and our understanding.

By way of correction, Jesus simply says, look, we don't need to worry about lack of bread. Remember how I provided for the crowds on two occasions. If I can provide for them, I can provide for us! Then he reiterates his original comment, watch the yeast of the Pharisees, and suddenly they realise he's referring to their teaching.

Now what was Jesus meaning? Yeast was the inner ingredient of bread that made it rise and be puffed up. The teaching of the Pharisees was man-centred, tended to puff up pride and did not lead others to know God more fully. It was therefore, something to be avoided.

D. Application:

1. Guilt can distort our thinking. Do I feel guilty?

2. Wrong teaching puffs up self. Right teaching exalts Jesus.

Chapter: Matthew 16

Passage: Matthew 16:13-20

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus ask the disciples? v.13

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

2. What 4 possibilities did they give? v.14

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

3. But what did Jesus then ask? v.15

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

4. What was Simon Peter's answer? v.16

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

5. How did Jesus say Peter was able to say that? v.17

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven

6. What did Jesus say would happen? v.18,19

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

B. Think:

1. What seems to be the overwhelming popular opinion about Jesus?

2. But what was more important than popular opinion?

3. What was clear about Jesus' “commissioning” statement here?

C. Comment:

Jesus (who knows all things) wants the disciples to tell him what popular opinion says about him, perhaps to get them to declare themselves? The crowds clearly see Jesus as a major prophetic figure, but Jesus is more interested to know what they think. It's easy to talk about what others think, but he is more concerned with what I think.

Peter makes his great declaration, you are the anointed one from God, the Son of God. It is Jesus' reply that has caused much controversy over the centuries. Peter (whose name means rock), on this rock I will build my church. Many have taken it to mean that Jesus will build his church on Peter, and so subsequently Peter was the first bishop of Rome (Pope).

Two things mitigate against that view: first, that Jesus didn't go appointing people to positions because he knew their frailty, and second. the statement that has just been made is the foundation upon which the church is built. It is the declaration that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God, that is what all other faith is built upon. Then come powerful words of sending: I will give you (all the apostles) authority and power so that whatever you bind on earth will be that which has already been bound in heaven - that is always the divine order. It originates in heaven, and we then do it on earth.

D. Application:

1. Christ is the foundation stone of the church. Worship him.

2. Heaven leads and we follow. Ensure it is that way round!

Chapter: Matthew 16

Passage: Matthew 16:21-23

A. Find Out:

1. What details did Jesus give the disciples about the future? v.21

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

2. What was Peter's response? v.22

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

3. How did Jesus address Peter? v.23a

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!

4. What did he say Peter was, and why? v.23b

You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

B. Think:

1. What do these verses tell us about Jesus' future?

2. What does that tell us about Jesus?

3. Why did Peter have such trouble coping with it?

C. Comment:

Observe first JESUS IN CONTROL. Jesus began to tell the disciples just what was going to happen in the immediate future. First, they would make their way up to Jerusalem . Second, he must come into conflict with the religious authorities. Third, he would be killed, and fourth, he would rise from the dead. All very specific, which tells us that Jesus had a clear strategy which a) involved his activity and b) involved what he knew would be the response to him by the authorities, and c) involved the activity of his Father raising him from the dead. We see Jesus, therefore, in complete control, completely aware of what would happen. In no way can the Cross be said to be a ghastly mistake.

Observe second, PETER OUT OF CONTROL. When Peter hears this, his mind cannot cope with the thought of Jesus being killed. He completely ignores the claim of Jesus that he will rise from the dead and simply sees it as some awful scenario that is obviously out of Jesus' control and which must not happen.

Observe third, JESUS MAINTAINING CONTROL. Jesus could succumb to Peter's suggestion but that would be moving out of his Father's will. He needs to hold onto his original intent. He sees this as a temptation from Satan and rebukes it. This is human thinking running contrary to God's design.

D. Application:

1. God's thinking is often different from ours (Isa 55:8,9). We need to

beware resorting to human inspired wisdom.

2. The temptation to materialistic self-thinking is always there.

Chapter: Matthew 16

Passage: Matthew 16:24-28

A. Find Out:

1. What 3 things must a follower do? v.24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

2. What two “reversals” does Jesus state here? v.25

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

3. What does Jesus say about a man's soul? v.26

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

4. How will the Son of Man come? v.27a

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels

5. What will he do? v.27b

then he will reward each person according to what he has done

6. Who will not taste death before when? v.28

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

B. Think:

1. How is life even to be obtained here?

2. What possible “threat” is there to “life”?

3. How do we know from this passage that Jesus' second coming will not

be quiet and invisible?

C. Comment:

Jesus has just rebuked Peter for thinking in human terms, and so now he continues to explain how spiritual realities are different from human or material realities. First he lays down criteria for following him: 1. Give up rights to yourself, 2. Give up your hopes for the future (the cross is a sign of your death) and 3. Go after Jesus doing the same things as him, following the same lifestyle. Tough stuff in the face of modern Western materialism! So, says Jesus, if you want to find real life, give up your claims on your life.

Look, he continues, if you strive for self-fulfilment, achieving great things and making much money, what are you left with, if at the end of it you have no relationship and no future with God, you are lost for eternity!

One of these days, he continues, I will return with great glory accompanied by myriads of angels, and then I will give every person what they deserve according to what they have done, so re-evaluate your lives in the light of that thought.

Finally he adds, some of you here will be alive when you see me start my kingdom (being raised from the dead, ascending to heaven and sending my Spirit to inaugurate my world-wide rule through my church). It is soon; it is coming!

D. Application:

1. Do we hold Jesus' values or the world's values?

2. One day all of our activities will be brought to light and “rewarded”.

RECAP 1: Conflict, Confess & the Cross - Matthew 16

SUMMARY :

In this first group of 5 studies we have seen :

- the Pharisees & Sadducees asking for a sign

- Jesus refusing everything except that of resurrection

- Jesus warning his disciples against the Pharisee's teaching

- Jesus asking who the people said he was

- Peter declaring he is the Christ of God

- Jesus commending him

- Jesus teaching what must soon happen to him

- Peter rejecting this and being rebuked

- Jesus teaching on giving up your life for him.

COMMENT :

The awful announcements have started! Jesus has declared what will happen: he will be put to death and he will rise from the dead. All Peter can hear is the death part. Possibly he thought the resurrection part was in heaven. Anyway he is upset and tries to tell Jesus God's will. Not a good thing to do! Do we sometimes not understand what is happening, get upset and tell God what He ought or ought not to do?

LESSONS?

1. Signs are for the open hearted who are seeking.

2. Our tendency is to make up our own religion which is false.

3. Jesus looks to see what I think of him.

4. The way to life is through death, Jesus' and mine!

5. When I don't understand, I shouldn't tell God what to do.

PRAY :

Submit your whole life, your heart, mind and will, to Him. He is the Lord who is in control and He knows best!

PART 2 : " Transfiguration, Trying Times & Taxes "

The next Part has three distinct sections: the amazing revelation on the mountain, the problem of a resistant enemy and then the problem of conforming to other's expectations. In each case there is greater revelation of the person and greatness of Jesus. Watch again for the varying responses of the people with Jesus.