The turning point in Matthew’s account of Christ’s life and work occurs in chapter 16: “From that time forth began Jesus to show 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” (v. 21).

A committee of scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem had come to Jesus, objecting to the practice of His disciples (15:1). Now, in Magdala, another committee of Pharisees, joined by a number of Sadducees, waited to confront Him. What a strange combination: conservative Bible scholars, Jewish fundamentalists, and ultra-modern theological liberals putting aside their differences to ask for “a sign from heaven” to validate Jesus’ claims and teachings!

Jesus answers with a stern rebuke (16:2-4). He has shown these leaders everything they need to see, making it as plain as “the face of the sky” (v. 3) in the old weather adage: Red sky at night, sailors’ delight; Red sky at morning, sailors, take warning!

No further sign is needed, but Christ says there is one more they should all look for: “the sign of the prophet Jonas” (v. 4). Christ is repeating what He explained ear­lier to a similar delegation: “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (12:40). Christ makes the resurrection the touchstone of the truth and credibility of all His claims and promises.

Jesus leaves this encounter with irritation and disapproval. He warns His disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (16:6). Though fundamentalist Pharisees and modernist Sadducees were very different from each other in practice, they were alike in one respect: they both appealed to human authority against the Word of God. The Pharisees appealed to human tradition; the Sadducees, to human philosophy. In either case, Jesus says, an ungodly “leaven” of man-centeredness is at work.

The disciples are stumped. They connect Jesus’ warn­ing with their failure to supply themselves with bread for the crossing to Magdala (v. 7). Is Jesus cautioning them not to buy bread from these Magdalene Pharisees and Sadducees? Only after Jesus’ explanation do they under­stand His warning. We should not deride these disciples; without the Spirit’s illumination, we often err when we comment on the words of Christ.

Later, in Caesarea Philippi, Christ confronts His dis­ciples, asking, “Who do men say that I the Son of man am?” (v. 13). Their answers show that, for the present at least, the general public is impressed with Jesus. Some identified Him as John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or simply “one of the prophets” (v. 14). Muslims today share this first-century Jewish view of Jesus, honoring Him as one of God’s greatest prophets.

Nonetheless, such honor is not enough for Jesus. “But whom say ye that I am?” He asks (v. 15). Simon answers with the first great creedal statement of the Christian faith: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Christ commends this confession of faith, declar­ing it to be revealed from heaven (v. 17).

All Christians can unite in affirming this great creed expressed by Peter. Sadly, however, the words that follow have proven divisive. Christ gives a new name to Simon, saying, “Thou art Peter.” He adds, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (v. 18). This text has been cited as validation for the Roman Catholic Church to exercise dominion over all other churches in the world, since the church of Rome claims to have been founded by Peter. According to this view, Peter is the “rock” upon which Christ builds His church.

What has been lost in translation is the distinction Christ makes between the person of “Peter” (petros), and the foundation of His church, which he calls petra, “a mass of live rock as distinct from petros, a detached stone or boulder” Peter’s confession is much greater than the person of Peter. His rock-like strength as a believer comes from the greater power of truth inherent in his confes­sion. Christ will build His church upon this creed, the truth of which is not dependent upon the man who first gave expression to it. Still today, the visible church of Christ is known by its profession of the true religion, not by its historical connection with a mere man or his successors in office.

Proof of this follows. When Jesus begins to speak of His imminent passion and death in Jerusalem, Peter rebukes Christ, insisting, “This shall not be unto thee” (v. 22). Christ’s response is swift; He says to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” (v. 23). According to the Roman Catholic understanding of verse 18, one would have to conclude that the church of Rome was founded by Satan, or at best, by a man who did not “savor” the things of God (v. 23).

So when Jesus declares, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (v. 18b), He is presenting us with a high view of the church. The church has a high status because it belongs to Jesus (“My church”). The church is His by gift (John 6:37), by promise (Ps. 2:8), and by purchase (1 Peter 1:19). To make the church His, Christ will engage in a threefold task. He will build His church through His crucifixion, dying in the place of sinners; through His exaltation, living on behalf of His people and sending His Spirit to draw them to Himself and into His kingdom; and through the proclamation of the gospel by means of His servants.

Jesus Christ will build His church. His church cannot fail for she is His bride. The church may stagger, but she will continue her march through history to ultimate tri­umph because Jesus Christ guarantees her success. Individual churches may close their doors and denominations may wither, but the church will grow and prosper. True Christians are members of the only successful institution on earth. The church is the only institution in the world that never loses its members, even by death.

Jesus then unveils to His disciples the demands of Christian discipleship: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (v. 24). There will be no kingdom, no glorious crown, no reward of faith without walking humbly in the self-denying way of God’s suffering, crucified Servant.

Christ then reminds His disciples that God “hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained” (Acts 17:31). Implied is that every servant of God will “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10) to explain how faithfully he has followed Christ’s pattern for the Christian life. Having spoken of His latter-day kingdom glory, Christ concludes with a solemn intima­tion that some will not have to wait so long to behold that glory.

One day Christ’s work will also be finished in us, dear believer, and our Bridegroom will present us to His Father in glory, sanctified and perfected by His work in us. When we pass from the militant to the triumphant church, all sorrow will be forgotten, all sighing will flee away, and we will forever praise the Lamb who sits on the throne.

Study Questions⤒🔗

1. How does the resurrection validate Christ’s claims and serve as a sign that He is indeed the Messiah?
2. We are not unlike the Pharisees and the Sadducees in being prone to embrace the ungodly “leaven” of man-centeredness. In what ways do the following embrace this leaven:

• our contemporary society
• the modern church
• your family
• you (search your conscience prayerfully)
• What steps can you take to fight against man-centeredness in your own life, your family, your church, and your community?

3. Looking back in your life, can you think of specific ways in which you erred in interpreting God’s Word? What does this teach you about the Spirit’s illumi­nation? What steps can you take to exercise more dependency on the Spirit?
4. Explain how the Roman Catholic view that Peter, and a supposed succeeding line of bishops, are the rock on which the church is built, is tragically flawed. What is the rock Christ is referring to in Matthew 16:18b?
5. What is self-denial? Why is self-denial such a foun­dational quality of the Christian life?
6. How and why will every living member of the church of Christ Jesus experience ultimate success?