PrevMatthew 16:15Next

Matthew 16

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

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?

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.

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

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?

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.

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?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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.

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.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

What does Matthew 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 16:15 is a critical verse in the New Testament, where Jesus directly questions His disciples about their personal belief regarding His identity.

Jesus asks, "But whom say ye that I am?" This question follows a previous discussion about the various opinions of the public, who believed Jesus to be a prophet like John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another of the prophets.

However, Jesus moves from the general opinions of the masses to the personal conviction of His closest followers. His question is probing and meant to challenge the disciples to acknowledge the revelation they have received concerning His divine nature.

This verse captures a moment of potential revelation and confession from the disciples.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

The verse is set in the region of Caesarea Philippi, a Greco-Roman city that Herod Philip II named after himself and the emperor Caesar Augustus.

At the time of Jesus' ministry, this region was known for its religious diversity, with temples dedicated to various gods, including the worship of the Roman Emperor.

Jesus' question to His disciples in this location is significant, as they stood amidst a backdrop of pagan worship and claims of divine emperorship.

It was here that Jesus sought to clarify His distinct identity and mission, separate from the prevailing religious and political expectations of a Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Matthew 16:15 has been a significant verse in formulating Christology, the doctrine of the nature and person of Jesus Christ:

Orthodox Christian Viewpoint: Jesus is not merely a prophet but is Himself divine.

This verse leads up to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, affirming the divine revelation given to the apostles.

Catholic Perspective: This verse, along with Peter's subsequent confession, has been historically linked to the doctrine of papal primacy, the pope being Peter's successor as a spiritual leader.
Protestant Interpretation: The emphasis is often on the personal relationship and recognition of Jesus as Lord and Savior, stemming from an individual's revelation rather than church tradition or authority.

Each of these viewpoints seeks to grapple with the true identity of Jesus and acknowledge His unique role in salvation history.

Practical Applications

Matthew 16:15 challenges individuals to consider their own answer to Jesus' question. It encourages personal reflection on who Jesus is and fosters a commitment to follow Him based on personal conviction.

Identity of Christ: Followers of Jesus today are implored to wrestle with His identity and come to a personal understanding and relationship with Him.
Confession and Witness: The verse inspires believers to openly confess their faith in Jesus in a world that may have diverse or contradictory views about Him.
Spiritual Reflection: It serves as a call for continual spiritual reflection on the nature of one's faith and depth of understanding of Jesus.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:16 - "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Mark 8:29 - "And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ."
Luke 9:20 - "He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God."
John 6:67-69 - "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Matthew 16:15 that are of particular interest are:

"Ye" (Greek "ὑμεῖς", transliterated "humeis") is plural, indicating that Jesus is addressing all His disciples, soliciting a corporate response to His identity.

"Say" (Greek "λέγετε", transliterated "legete") is in the present active indicative, pointing to the current and ongoing opinion or confession of the disciples.

"I" (Greek "ἐγώ", transliterated "egō") emphasizes Jesus Himself as the subject of the question, distinguishing His identity from the other names previously discussed.

"Am" (Greek "εἰμί", transliterated "eimi") is in the present tense, indicating the current and continuous state of being, which in theological terms points to the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, Jesus' question about His identity sets Him apart from the mythological figures of the time.

Unlike mythical gods or heroes, Jesus' identity and mission were rooted in historical reality, and His divinity was connected to a monotheistic framework distinct from the polytheistic environment.

Messianic Expectations: Contrast with Jewish expectations of a political Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule, Jesus' identity as laid out in the following verses reveals a spiritual redemption rather than a political one.
Pagan Divinity Claims: Compared to the divine claims of emperors or god-kings in the surrounding culture, Jesus' divine claim is not tied to military power or royal lineage.

Scientific Perspectives

While Matthew 16:15 is primarily theological and spiritual in nature and thus not directly related to scientific investigation, contemporary scientific perspectives on cognition and belief formation can lend insight into how individuals might process questions of identity and belief in the divine.

Psychology of Belief: Cognitive science studies how personal beliefs and revelations impact individual actions and community behavior.
Historical Archaeology: Archaeology contributes to understanding the historical context in which Jesus lived and how His teachings compared with contemporary religious and philosophical ideas.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on Matthew 16:15 over the centuries, providing rich insight into its meaning:

John Calvin: Emphasized the necessity of divine revelation for the disciples to truly understand and confess the identity of Jesus.
William Barclay: Suggested the essential distinction between knowledge about Jesus based on popular opinion and the personal conviction revealed by God to individuals.
Craig S. Keener: In his commentary, focuses on the contrast between popular messianic expectations of the time and the true nature of Jesus' messiahship.

Each commentary aids in unpacking the different dimensions of Jesus' profound question and its implications for faith and Christian doctrine.

Matthew 16

Matthew 16

What does Matthew 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?