Matthew 16

Sign of Jonas

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. Matthew 16:1–4

Jesus again offers only the sign of Jonah, which He had explained as His three days in the tomb and His Resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Matthew 12:39-40 — Jesus repeats His earlier words and their meaning
• typified by Jonah 1:17 — three days and nights in the fish

Jesus warning of false doctrine

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Matthew 16:5–12

Jesus warns of the 'leaven' of false teaching and reminds the disciples of the loaves He multiplied, so they should never worry that He cannot provide.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 14:17-21 — five loaves for five thousand
• alludes to Matthew 15:34-38 — seven loaves for four thousand
• a parallel account in Mark 8:14-21 — leaven of the Pharisees

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness

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? Matthew 16:13–15

Jesus, calling Himself the Son of Man, asks His disciples the most important question: who do they say He is?

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 8:27-29 — at Caesarea Philippi
• a parallel account in Luke 9:18-20 — whom say ye that I am

The Christ, the Son of the living God

Christ — the Anointed One, the Messiah; Son of the living God — the literal Son of the Father

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

Peter bears pure testimony: Jesus is the promised Messiah and the Son of the living God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 6:69 — 'that Christ, the Son of the living God'
• the same title in Matthew 14:33 — thou art the Son of God
• a parallel account in Mark 8:29 — Peter's confession

The Father reveals the Son

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. Matthew 16:17

Jesus teaches that Peter's testimony did not come from human reasoning but from revelation by the Father, who testifies of His Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

The Rock; Builder of His Church

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. Matthew 16:18–19

Jesus promises to build His own Church and give Peter its keys. Latter-day Saints understand the rock as revelation — the revealed testimony that Jesus is the Christ — and scripture also calls Christ Himself the rock on which we must build.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ
• quoted by D&C 128:10 — Joseph Smith quotes these verses on the sealing power

Jesus the Christ

Jesus the Christ — Jesus the Anointed One

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. Matthew 16:20

Jesus confirms Peter's testimony by charging them not yet to announce that He is Jesus the Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Suffering, death, and Resurrection foretold

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. Matthew 16:21

For the first time Jesus plainly tells His disciples that He must suffer, be killed, and rise on the third day.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 8:31 — first prophecy of the Passion
• a parallel account in Luke 9:22 — first prophecy of the Passion
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:6 — He is risen, as he said

Christ set toward His Atonement

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Matthew 16:22–23

When Peter tries to talk Him out of dying, Jesus firmly rejects the temptation, showing His determination to accomplish the Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Matthew 4:10 — 'Get thee hence, Satan'
• a parallel account in Mark 8:32-33 — Peter rebuked

Take up the cross and follow Him

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. Matthew 16:24–26

Jesus teaches that following Him means denying ourselves and taking up our cross, and that losing our life for His sake is how we truly find it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 8:34-37 — take up his cross
• a parallel account in Luke 9:23-25 — take up his cross daily

The Son of Man coming in glory

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. Matthew 16:27

Jesus prophesies His Second Coming in His Father's glory, when He will judge each person by their works.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Matthew 25:31 — the Son of man comes in his glory with angels
• the same event in Revelation 22:12 — my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work
• alludes to Psalm 62:12 — thou renderest to every man according to his work

Son of Man coming in His kingdom

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. Matthew 16:28

Jesus promises some present will see Him in His kingdom's glory. Six days later Peter, James, and John see Him transfigured.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 9:1 — some shall not taste of death
• fulfilled by Matthew 17:1-2 — the Transfiguration follows (one common reading)