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÷÷MATTHEW 16

MATTHEW 16

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷MATTHEW 16:1-4

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:1-4
 ¹The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. ²But He answered and said to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'³And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.'Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? ⁴An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.

16:1 "the Pharisees and Sadducees" Matthew links these two groups together as the collective leadership of rabbinical Judaism (cf. Matt. 3:7; 10:1, 6, 11, 12; 22:34).

SPECIAL TOPIC: PHARISEES

SPECIAL TOPIC: SADDUCEES

▣ "testing" This word (peirasmos) was used with the connotation of "test with a view toward destruction" (cf. Matt. 6:13; James 1:13).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK WORDS FOR "TESTING" AND THEIR CONNOTATIONS

▣ "a sign from heaven" "From heaven" is a CIRCUMLOCUTION for "God." They had seen His miracles but they wanted more (cf. Matt. 12:38-42). This was the same temptation offered by Satan in Matt. 4:5-6 about winning mankind's allegiance by the use of the miraculous.

Apparently these Jewish religionists wanted evidence that Jesus was empowered by YHWH. They were calling the healings "Satan's work," so they wanted a sign that was indisputably from God (i.e., "heaven"). Exactly what that would be is not clearly stated. Jesus gives them that sign, but in a veiled and future way (i.e., His resurrection).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SIGN (OT)

16:2b-3 These sentences are not in the most ancient uncial Greek manuscripts א, B, X, and the Greek text used by Origen, the Greek manuscripts known to Jerome, nor in some Peshitta or Coptic versions, but they are found in the uncial manuscripts C, D, L and W. A similar passage is found in Luke 12:54-56. The textual critics behind the fourth edition of the Greek NT put out by the United Bible Societies could not make a decision (i.e., "C" rating) about the originality of these verses (cf. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament by Bruce Metzger, p. 41.)

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM

16:3 "the signs of the times" Notice the PLURAL " times." This refers to the two ages (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME). These Jewish religionists could predict and understand some weather phenomena, but they could not/would not understand the coming of the New Age of the Spirit in Jesus. He chides them for their lack of spiritual perception (cf. Isa. 6:9-10). Another sign/prophecy was fulfilled in them!

16:4 "adulterous generation" This phrase is used in the metaphorical sense of "unfaithful." The imagery (cf. Matt. 12:39; James 4:4) goes back to the OT usage related to idolatry and fertility worship (i.e., Jer. 3:8; 9:2; 23:10; 29:23; Ezekiel 23; Hosea 4:2-3; Mal. 3:5).

▣ "the sign of Jonah" They would have had no clue what He was talking about! This was an analogy of three days Jonah was in the great fish and Jesus would be in Hades (cf. 1 Pet. 3:19). Remember Jesus was in the tomb only about thirty-six to forty hours, but it was reckoned as three days in the Jewish counting system of Jesus' day. Part of a day was counted as a whole day and a day began and ended at twilight (cf. Genesis 1). See notes at Matt. 12:39 and Matt. 16:21.

For more information on

1. Jonah and the great fish, see my exegetical commentary free online at www.freebiblecommentary.org
2. see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 467-470

÷MATTHEW 16:5-12

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:5-12
 ⁵And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. ⁶And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ⁷They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, "He said that because we did not bring any bread." ⁸But Jesus aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? ⁹Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? ¹¹ How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ¹²Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:6, 11 "the leaven" It is possible that the Aramaic term "legal severity" was meant here (remember Jesus and the Jews of His day spoke Aramaic). The two words are similar in Aramaic; however, verse 12 demands the term "yeast" or "leaven."

SPECIAL TOPIC: LEAVEN

16:7 "They began to discuss. . .among themselves" Often in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus speaks to the discussion of others (cf. Matt. 3:9; 9:3,21; 16:7-8: 21:25,38). He took their questions and discussions as an opportunity to address theological issues.

It is uncertain whether He overheard their conversations or supernaturally knew their thoughts.

16:8 Jesus often referred to the Twelve as having little faith (cf. Matt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8). Those who heard Him and lived with Him did not always understand or have faith. Matthew 16:7-10 are parenthetical. Jesus wanted to talk about the false faith of the Pharisees (cf. Matt. 5:20-48), but the disciples got mentally sidetracked over the lack of "bread."

16:9 The disciples had the advantage of hearing Jesus speak and minister to the crowds and also the private discussions and interpretation afterward, but still they, like most of the hearers (cf. Matt. 13:13,14-15 [Isa. 6:9-10,19]), did not understand (i.e., Matt. 15:17; 16:11; Luke 2:50; 18:34; John 10:6; 12:16). Jesus' message was so unique and different from the Jewish religion (i.e., "the leaven of the Pharisees") they had grown up with that it took a supernatural Spirit-led opening of their minds to perceive (i.e., Luke 24:45). This occurred slowly during Jesus' time with them (i.e., Matt. 16:13-28), but not fully until

1. after the resurrection
2. in the upper room (cf. John 20)
3. by the seashore in John 21
4. Acts 1, when He ascended into heaven

16:12 It was their legalism and lack of love that caused Jesus' sternest words of condemnation! Often, religiosity can be a barrier instead of a bridge!

÷MATTHEW 16:13-20

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:13-20
 ¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ¹⁴And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." ¹⁵He said to them, " But who do you say that I am?" ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ¹⁷And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." ²⁰Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

16:13 "Caesarea Philippi" This was a city in Philip's territory about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. This was Jesus' second attempt to get away with the disciples alone (cf. Matthew 15).

▣ "Son of Man" This phrase was used several times in the OT. It implies humanity (Ps. 8:4; Ezek. 2:1) and deity (Dan. 7:13). The phrase was not used by the rabbis of Jesus' day; therefore, it had no nationalistic or militaristic implications. This was Jesus' self-chosen designation because it combined the twin aspects of His person, fully God and fully man (cf. Phil. 2:6-8; 1 John. 4:1-3).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN

16:14 "John the Baptist" Herod Antipas guessed that Jesus was actually John the Baptist (cf. Matt. 14:1-2).

▣ "Elijah" This was from the prophecy of Mal. 3:1; 4:5 which said Elijah would prepare the way for the Messiah. It would have acknowledged the dawning of the New Age of the Spirit.

▣ "Jeremiah" The rabbis held that he hid the Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Nebo and that he would bring it out just before the New Age began.

▣ "one of the prophets" This made Jesus a prophet like other OT figures. It could have related to the prophecy of Deut. 18:15-22 (cf. John. 2:2). All of these guesses involved a resuscitation!

▣ "But who do you say that I am" "You" is PLURAL. Jesus asked all of His disciples this question. Peter answered first. His personality made him the spokesman for the group.

16:16 "You are the Christ" This had been expressed before by

1. Andrew in John. 1:41
2. Nathaniel in John. 1:49
3. Peter in John. 6:69

The Greek title "Christ" is the equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah" or " Anointed One."

SPECIAL TOPIC: OT TITLES FOR THE SPECIAL COMING ONE

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

▣ "the Son of the living God" Peter did not fully understand Jesus' Messiahship as is obvious from Matt. 16:21-23. Therefore, the blessing of 16:7 related to the phrase "Son of the living God."

The phrase "living God" was a paraphrase of YHWH which is the from the Hebrew VERB "to be" (cf. Exod. 3:14).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

This Aramaic "Barjonas" meant "son of John."

▣ "but My Father who is in heaven" The content of Peter's confession (Matt. 16:16) was not human discovery, but divine revelation. The Spirit is the person of the Trinity who is attributed this task, but here it is the Father, possibly because of the mention of "Son of God."

The gospel cannot be comprehended nor responded to without divine aid (cf. John 6:44,65; 10:29). This does not eliminate the mandated human response (cf. John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9-13), but it does show that humans can only respond to the initiation from the spiritual realm. They cannot do nor initiate spiritual decisions! The VERB TENSE related to the "binding" and "loosing" of Matt. 16:19 reflect this same truth!

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEAVENS AND THE THIRD HEAVEN

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

16:18 "Peter" This is the Greek word "petros," a MASCULINE NOUN. It referred to a detached boulder. For much of his life (i.e., Matt. 16:22,23; Mark 14) he was anything but a "rock"!

SPECIAL TOPIC: PETER THE MAN

▣ "this rock" This is the Greek work, "petra," a FEMININE NOUN. It referred to bedrock (cf. Matt. 7:24). These two words (petros and petra) cannot grammatically link up to each other because of their GENDER. The disciples did not see this as a reference to Peter's superiority because they continued to argue over who was greatest (cf. Matt. 18:1, 18; John. 20:21). These two terms are related but distinct in Greek. There is an obvious play between Peter's faith and the faith of all the apostles. However, in Aramaic there is only one term, "kepha" ("Cephas," John 1:42; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5) for both of the Greek terms for "rock." Jesus spoke Aramaic but His words are recorded by inspired writers in Greek. Therefore, we must deal with the Greek text, not a supposed Aramaic statement.

For more information see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 382-386.

▣ "church" "Ekklēsia" was the word used in the Septuagint for "the congregation of Israel" (Qahal, BDB 874, cf. Deut. 18:16; 23:2; 1 Kgs. 8:65). One must be careful not to read post-Pentecostal definitions and forms into this very early and Jewish passage. These early disciples saw themselves as an extension of the OT people (i.e., Qahal) of God. They were the fulfillment of the OT people.

The term itself implied a called gathering for some purpose. Its Greek background was a called town meeting (cf. Acts 19:32,39,41). This term does not occur in Mark, Luke, or John. It occurs in Matthew only three times (cf. Matt. 16:8; 18:17 [twice]). The Matt. 18:17 text obviously refers to a later period of time. The term does occur often in Acts and Paul's writings.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHURCH (ekklēsia)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SEPTUAGINT

▣ "gates of Hades" "Gates" can refer to

1. the idea of a city of death from which no one escapes
2. a city council meeting held at the gate
3. an active scheme of evil against the Church

Hades was from the word "to see" negated, therefore invisible. It equals the OT "Sheol," where the righteous and wicked alike go at the time of death.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? II. B.

▣ "will not overpower it" This word had an active connotation of "to assault, to gain control." Death and evil have not overcome nor even comprehended (the two meanings of this term) the Church of the Living God.

16:19 "keys of the kingdom of heaven" This was imagery for ownership by gaining entrance (cf. Isa. 22:22; Rev. 1:18; 3:7). The keys (as Hades is viewed as a house or city, so too, heaven as a house or city) are the proclamation of the gospel with an invitation to respond. This concept of Hades and heaven having gates like a city goes back to Isaiah (see Special Topic following). The author of Hebrews also uses this imagery for heaven (cf. Heb. 11:10,16; 12:22; 13:4), as does John in Revelation (cf. Rev. 3:12; 21-22).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO "CITIES" IN ISAIAH

▣ "kingdom of heaven" Mark and Luke have, "kingdom of God." The difference is not one of substance, but a difference of recipients.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD

These were rabbinical terms used for legal decisions of permitting or not permitting something. The tense of these two PERIPHRASTIC VERBALS is significant. They are both FUTURE INDICATIVES of "I Am" with PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLES. They should be translated "shall have been bound" and "shall have been loosed" (cf. Matt. 18:18). This reflects the truth that what humans, led by the Holy Spirit, decide on earth about spiritual matters will have already been decided on in heaven (C. B. Williams, The NT in the Language of the People). This passage does not express a human decision, but humans following God's lead (cf. Matt. 18:18; John 20:23).

For an opposite opinion by a wonderful exegetical scholar, see F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, pp. 49-50.

16:20 "He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ" The gospel was not yet complete. The current Jewish notions about the work of the Messiah were incorrect. The disciples must wait (cf. Matt. 8:4; 9:30; 12:16; 17:9).

There are several Greek MSS that add "Jesus," but the context demands just the word "Christ" (i.e., the Anointed One).

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

SPECIAL TOPIC: OT TITLES OF THE SPECIAL COMING ONE, #4

÷MATTHEW 16:21-23

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:21-23
 ²¹From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. ²²Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." ²³But He turned and said to Peter, " Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

16:21 "must" This was the word "dei" which meant moral necessity (Jesus came to die, Mark 8:31; 10:45; John 3:14,16). Jesus knew there was a divine plan for His life and ministry (cf. Matt. 12:15-21; Luke 22:22; Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28; 10:42; 17:31). He knew at the age of twelve (cf. Luke 2:41-49)!

▣ "and suffer many things" John had implied this by calling Jesus "the Lamb of God" (cf. John 1:29), but the disciples were not prepared for this truth. It was not in their first century Jewish notions about the Messiah. The rabbis emphasized the coming of the Messiah as an act of judgment and military triumph (cf. Rev. 19:11-16). They were not wrong in this assessment but they failed to recognize His first coming as the suffering servant (cf. Isaiah 53), the humble one on the colt of a donkey (cf. Zech. 9:5), both of which seem to follow Gen. 3:15.

This revelation of His suffering was so shocking that Jesus had to repeat it several times (cf. Matt. 17:9,12,22-23; 20:18-19). He did this so that when it happened the disciples, after their initial grief and confusion, would realize that Jesus was in control of His own destiny. This would embolden them for their called mission (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8).

SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

▣ "the elders, and chief priests, and scribes" This was the phrase used to describe the Sanhedrin. It was the ruling body of the Jews made up of 70 leaders from the Jerusalem area. In Jesus' day it had been corrupted by Roman politics because the High Priesthood had become a purchased position. It had only limited authority.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SANHEDRIN

▣ "on the third day" Jesus specifically mentioned this time element several times, Matt. 12:40; 16:4, where it was related to the prophet Jonah and as a sign of His Messiahship. Paul implied in 1 Cor. 15:4 that it was predicted in the OT. The only two possibilities are Hosea 6:2 and Jonah 1:16. In the context of Jesus' usage it must relate to Jonah.

However, it was not a full 72 hours but only about 36-40. The Jews counted partial days as full days. Their days started at twilight. Jesus died at 3 PM on Friday and was buried before 6 PM. This was counted as one day. He remained in Hades all of the Sabbath, 6 PM Friday to 6 PM Saturday. Then sometime before sunrise on Sunday He arose, thereby, three Jewish days.

SPECIAL TOPIC: RESURRECTION

16:22 "Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him" Peter overstepped his bounds. Jesus used the term "rebuke" in several other strong contexts (cf. Matt. 8:26; 12:10; 16:20). Peter's personal feelings for Jesus were superceding God's plan of redemption.

▣ "This shall never happen to you" This is literally "mercy on you," which implied "May God have mercy on you so this never happens." This is a strong DOUBLE NEGATIVE used for emphasis.

16:23 "Get behind Me, Satan" Peter, who moments before spoke a revelation from God, now speaks temptation from Satan. This was the same temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness, to bypass the cross (cf. Matt: 4:1-11). In this context, Peter was Satan's spokesman!

SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN

▣ "stumbling block" This referred literally to a baited trap-stick trigger on an animal trap. The word was used metaphorically of an obstacle.

÷MATTHEW 16:24-27

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:24-27
 ²⁴Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. ²⁵For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds."

16:24 "disciples" This meant "learner." Jesus' emphasis was not on an initial decision only but on a continuing and deepening discipleship (cf. Matt. 28:19).

SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES

▣ "if" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. Jesus assumes that people will want to follow Him.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK GRAMMATICAL TERMS, VII.

▣ "he must deny himself" This is an AORIST MIDDLE (deponent) IMPERATIVE. There must be a decisive act. Believers must turn away from self-centered lives (the results of the Fall of Genesis 3; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL) in all areas. This concept is similar to repentance.

▣ "take up his cross" This is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. This same emphasis is recorded in Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; John 12:25. Another decisive act is called for. Condemned criminals had to carry their cross bar to the place of crucifixion (cf. John. 12:24). This was imagery for a torturous death, in this context, the death of the self-life (cf. John. 12:24; 2 Cor. 5:13-14; Gal. 2:20; 1 John. 3:16).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CRUCIFIXION

▣ "and follow Me" This is PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. As the two previous phrases were decisive commands (AORIST IMPERATIVES) this one speaks of habitual living. Followship (rabbinical discipleship) in a first century Jewish context had specific requirements. As Jesus called the twelve disciples to be with Him, He calls believers of every age. Jesus poured His life into these men and they had to respond by pouring their lives into others (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 John. 3:16). Jesus often spoke of the radical continuing nature of followship (cf. Matt. 10:37-39; Mark 8:38-39; Luke 9:23-27; 14:25-27; 17:33; John. 12:25).

SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE

16:25 The New Age is different from the current evil, self-centered age. Humans show that the transition has been made by how they live (cf. Matthew 7 and 13). Living right does not make one right with God (cf. Eph. 2:8-9); confession and faith do that (i.e., 16:16), but it does give evidence a change/transition has been made!

The term "life" (psuchē) is equivalent to nephesh (BDB 659), which denotes life on planet earth, in this case self-directing life (i.e., human). The new age calls for a radical new orientation. The old age is characterized by a pull toward self (cf. Genesis 3), but the new age is characterized by selflessness. The image of God in humanity (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) was damaged in the Fall. Salvation restores the image so that fellowship with God (i.e., the purpose of creation) is restored! Self is replaced by service, sin by sanctification, me by ministry, more and more for me by less of me and more of Him!

SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

16:26 "if" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which meant potential future action. Some do gain worldly things but forfeit spiritual, eternal things.

▣ "what will a man give in exchange for his soul" Life selfishly lived ends in death, but life given away for Christ's sake results in eternal life (cf. Mark 8:34-38). Believers are responsible stewards of the gift of physical life and spiritual life!

16:27 "The Son of Man is going to come. . .with His angels" This referred to the Second Coming (cf. Matt. 10:23; 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 26:64; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7,10; 2:1,8; James 5:7-8; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 1:7).

Notice the angels of heaven could be the Father and/or the Son's angels. This was another way to assert the deity of Jesus. Several times in Matthew the angels are the eschatological gatherers and dividers of humans (cf. Matt. 13:39-41,49; 24:31).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING (chart)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN

▣ "in the glory of His Father" In the OT the most common Hebrew word for "glory" (kabod) was originally a commercial term (which referred to a pair of scales) which meant "to be heavy." That which was heavy was valuable or had intrinsic worth. Often the concept of brightness was added to the word to express God's majesty (cf. Exod. 15:16; 24:17; Isa. 60:1-2). He alone is worthy and honorable. He is too brilliant for fallen mankind to behold (cf. Ex 33:17-23; Isa. 6:5). God can only be truly known through Christ (cf. Jer. 1:14; Matt. 17:2; Heb. 1:3; James 2:1).

The term "glory" is somewhat ambiguous:

1. it may be parallel to "the righteousness of God"
2. it may refer to the "holiness" or " perfection" of God
3. it could refer to the image of God in which mankind was created (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6), but which was later marred through rebellion (cf. Gen. 3:1-22)

It is first used of YHWH's presence with His people (cf. Exod. 16:7,10; Lev. 9:23; Num. 14:10).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT, kabod)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH

▣ "will then repay every man according to his deeds" This is an allusion to Ps. 62:12 or Prov. 24:12. This judgment of deeds is seen in Job 34:11,25; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 12:14; 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Ezek. 33:20; Matt. 16:27; 25:3-6; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12. Our life shows our allegiance! 1 John and James assert that how we live gives evidence of the validity of our profession of faith (Eph. 1:4; 2:8-9,10). No fruit—no root! Jesus came as Savior (cf. John 3:16-21), but He will return as Judge (cf. Revelation 19)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEGREES OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT

SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT

÷MATTHEW 16:28

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MATTHEW 16:28
 ²⁸"Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

16:28 This is a difficult verse to interpret. In context it seems to refer to the Second Coming, but Matthew, writing forty plus years after Jesus' death, realized this was incorrect. It could refer to

1. Jesus' ascension (Acts 1)
2. the kingdom which was already present in Jesus
3. the Parousia or Second Coming
4. the Spirit's coming and equipping at Pentecost (Acts 1)
5. the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the Roman General Titus (Matt. 24; Luke 21)
6. the transfiguration recorded in the next chapter of Matthew (note the proximity in Mark 9:1 and 9:2, as well as Luke 9:27 and 9:28ff)

Because of the immediate context of Matthew 17, the sixth option is best. However, in recent years option #5 has become more of a biblical option for me. This theological option would be called "partial preterism." A good discussion of this issue can be viewed on YouTube "Review of Full Preterism," parts 1 and 2, by Steve Gregg (www.thenarrowpath.com). He has several other helpful videos on this subject. He was a dispensationalist but now rejects that understanding, as I do also.

For another good discussion on the options for understanding this context, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 428-430.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF OGD

SPECIAL TOPIC: REIGNING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

▣ "Truly" See SPECIAL TOPIC: AMEN

▣ "taste death" This is a Hebraic idiom for dying (cf. 1 Sam. 15:32).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why is Matt. 16:13-20 so pivotal for the Roman Catholic Church?
2. Did the disciples recognize Peter's supremacy?
3. What is Jesus referring to by the word "church" ? (Matt. 16:18)
4. Does Matt. 16:18 imply an active or passive attack on the church?
5. What are the keys of the kingdom? (Matt. 16:19)
6. Why did Jesus insist that they tell no one He was the Messiah, God's son?
7. Why did the disciples balk at Jesus' revelation of His future?
8. What does it mean to die to self?
9. How do you understand Matt. 16:28?

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