The Word Made Fresh
1Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus. They asked him, “Can you show us a sign from heaven?”
2Jesus answered, “When it’s evening, you say, ‘The sky is red; fair weather is ahead.’ 3In the morning, you say, ‘The sky is red and threatening; it will be stormy today.’ You know how to forecast the weather by the sky’s appearance; so why can’t you interpret the signs of the times? 4A wicked, adulterous generation asks for signs, but none will be given aside from the sign of Jonah.” Then he turned and left them.
5When the disciples reached the far shore of the lake, they realized that they had forgotten to bring bread. 6Jesus told them, “Pay attention, and stay away from yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7They thought Jesus was referring to their having forgotten the bread, 8but when Jesus realized what they were saying, he told them, “Your faith is too small! Why are you worried about not having bread? 9You still don’t understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves that fed five thousand? How many baskets full did you have left over? 10How about the seven loaves that fed four thousand? How many baskets full was left? 11How did you miss the fact that I was not talking about bread? Be wary of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” Then they realized he hadn’t been talking about the yeast for bread-making, but rather the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13When they came to the Caesarea Philippi district, Jesus asked them, “Who are people saying the Son of Man really is?
14They said, “Some are saying John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. And there are others who think you are Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15Jesus asked them, “But who do you think I am?”
16Simon Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus responded, “Bless you, Simon son of Jonah! Flesh and blood hasn’t revealed this to you. That has come from my Father in heaven. 18I’ll tell you this: your name is Peter, which means ‘Rock.’ And on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you commit on earth will be committed in heaven, and whatever you set free on earth will be freed in heaven.” Then he ordered the disciples not to tell anyone else that he was the Messiah.
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and would have to undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and head priests and scribes, and that he would be killed, but on the third day be raised. 22Peter drew him aside and reprimanded him. He said, “May God forbid this, Lord! This can never happen to you!”
23Jesus turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are trying to trip me up, because your mind is not contemplating holy things but common things instead!”
24Then Jesus said to all the disciples, “If any of you want to be my disciple you must deny yourself and pick up your burdens and follow me. 25Those who want to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26What would be their profit if they gained the whole world but gave up their life in the process? What would their life cost them? 27The Son of Man is coming with his angels, wrapped in his Father’s glory, and he will see that everyone gets what he deserves. 28The truth is that some who are standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Commentary
1-4: This is the second time Jesus is asked to give a “sign”. On the first occasion it was demanded by the “scribes and Pharisees” (see 12:38); here it is the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Sadducees haven’t been mentioned since 3:7 when some of them came to the Jordan to be baptized by John. The Pharisees and Sadducees are the two primary religious (and political) sects. Their teaming together here is a hint that Jesus’ position is becoming more precarious.
5-12: Jesus realizes that official opposition to his ministry and his message is growing and gives his disciples a specific warning against the “yeast” of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but they don’t catch the metaphor. They have forgotten to bring bread with them, and think he is warning them about purchasing bread from those two groups. Jesus has to spell it out: Bread is of no importance, since he has demonstrated that he can make much out of little. It is the teachings of those groups that carry the danger.
13-20: These verses represent the watershed moment in Matthew’s gospel. From this point on the crucifixion will be ever more clearly visible. Safely away from his opposition – Caesarea Philippi is 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and well away from the influence of Jewish political/religious interests — Jesus wants to know just how far public opinion of him has developed. Peter blurts out the hope all of them have been keeping inside; Jesus is the Messiah. Still, Jesus orders the disciples to keep it a secret.
21-23: Now that their knowledge of his mission is complete, Jesus begins to prepare them for the inevitable end of his earthly ministry. Peter, so insightful a moment ago, now falls back on his human tendency to see suffering as anything but positive. Jesus makes it clear that Peter is resisting the will of God.
24-28: Many of the first Christians were persecuted and punished, even put to death. Matthew wants to make certain his readers understand the risk they are taking if they become a follower of Jesus. Someone has said, “The problem with Christianity in America today is that nobody is trying to kill us.”
Takeaway
Imagine the courage it takes to march directly into murderous threats that have been made against you. Jesus would say, “Do not be afraid.” Be brave enough to always speak the truth.