24: Confessing Jesus as Christ (Mt 16:1-28)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

Up to this point, the Lord Jesus had been demonstrating His Messiahship through His teachings and works. There had been different responses from the people to Jesus’ ministry and various views as to who Jesus was. Peter’s confession of Christ in this chapter is the pivotal point in the gospel. The identity of Jesus was now fully revealed. From verse 21 on, the gospel moves into the last phase of Jesus’ ministry. The Lord Jesus would face increasing opposition and ultimately fulfill his mission through suffering, death, and glory.

B.     Key Verse

            “Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Caesarea Philippi (16:13): Caesarea Philippi was built by Herod Philip the tetrarch (cf. 2:20, 22), who enlarged a small town on a plane 1150 feet above sea level at the base of Mount Hermon, renaming it in honor of Caesar, “Philippi” being added to distinguish it from the coastal city of the same name. It lies twenty-five miles north of Galilee…The inhabitants were largely Gentile. ^6/364

2.       Bar-Jonah (16:17): Son of Jonah or John. 

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(16:1-4)

(16:5-12)

(16:13--20)

(16:21-23)

(16:24-28)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. Compare Jesus’ different attitudes and responses to the two groups of people in 1-12 and explain the difference.

2a. What is the connection between 1-12 and 13-20?

2b. Between 13-20 and 21-28?

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     16:1-4

1a. What was the intention of the Pharisees and Sadducees in seeking for a sign from Jesus?

1b. Do you ever ask for something from God with a similar intention? What is wrong with such intention?

2a. What are the signs of the times (3)?

2b. What is the sign of Jonah, and how is it a sign?

3. Why did the Lord call the people the “wicked and adulterous” generation?

B.     16:5-12

4. In view of 1-4, what were the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

5. Why were the teachings of Pharisees and Sadducees “leaven”?

6. How did the disciples’ ignorance show that they were of little faith?

C.     16:13-20

7a. What is the difference between Jesus’ two questions (13,15)?

7b. Why was it important for the disciples to know who Jesus was?

7c. Do you have a personal knowledge of Jesus? Who is Jesus to you?

8. What does it mean that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”?

9a. Do the Lord’s words in 18 mean that Peter would be the foundation of the church? Explain your answer.

9b. What is “church”?

9c. What is the “gates of Hades”? Why shall it not prevail against the church?

10. Explain “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” and “the authority to bind and lose” in 19.

11. Why did the Lord want the disciples to conceal His identity?

D.     16:21-23

12. Why did Jesus consider Peter’s words and actions the work of Satan?

13. Explain the following terms

13a. Deny himself

13b. Take up his cross

13c. Follow Me

13d. Saving and losing life. See also 26.

14. With these teachings about discipleship in mind, what should you do about your personal life to be a true disciple of Christ?

15. What event was the Lord referring to in 28?