Matthew 20:1–19

or the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay them a denarius^[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

³ “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

⁷ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

⁸ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

⁹ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

¹³ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

¹⁶ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

¹⁷ Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, ¹⁸ “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death ¹⁹ and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Importance and wealth are not important to God. A person’s service for God does not earn God’s good opinion. God deals with people by grace alone.

From 16:5, Jesus had been teaching his disciples what they should be like. He emphasized what sort of Messiah he was.

Two incidents happened before this parable. In 19:13–15, the disciples sent away young children. The disciples thought that Jesus would not have time for children. Then, in 19:16–29, Jesus talked about two things. They were wealth and importance. God does not deal with people by these things.

Then there was the parable in this passage. After that, two events showed the real meaning of the parable. In 20:17–19, Jesus emphasized that he must suffer. He said that people would laugh at him. They would deal badly with him. He would die. Then there was the event in 20:20–28. People must not join God’s kingdom for the wrong reasons. They should not become members for the benefits that they could get. They should not want an important place in the kingdom. Jesus emphasized this. He repeated the same statement. (Read 19:30 and 20:16.) God’s way of doing things is often the opposite of people’s ways.

The people who first heard Jesus would understand his story well. The situation that he described was a familiar one. Many poor men would have been just like the men in the story. They, too, would be desperate to do a day’s work.

But Jesus ended the story in an unusual way. (Read verses 8–15.) Jesus wanted those who heard him to realize certain things. God was the owner of the land in the story. His kingdom was the business that he described. (This was popular OT language. Read Psalm 80:8–19; Isaiah 1:8; 5:1–8; Jeremiah 12:10.) When we realize this, the meaning of Jesus’ parable is clear. God is fair to all the members of his kingdom. He is also very generous. This is because God does not deal with us as we deserve. He deals with men and women by grace.

Now Matthew reminds us of something that is awful. The master had been very generous to his workers. He had dealt so well with them. But he himself must suffer in a terrible way. He was going to die for them.

Jesus, the savior who suffers

Jesus had already said what would happen to him. Twice, he said that he must die. But then he would come back to life again. (Read 16:21 and 17:22–23.) Here, he gave his disciples more details. (Read 20:17–19.) He explained just how much he would suffer. His closest friends would not be loyal to him. The leaders would not be fair to him. People would insult him. He would suffer great shame. Then he would die in great pain.

The ‘son of the living God’ (16:16) was speaking. He was telling about all the terrible things that would happen to him. This was wonderful! Yet, this passage did not emphasize the special way that Jesus must suffer. (Compare 27:46.) At this time, Jesus wanted his disciples to understand something. It was this. At least in part, what he suffered was an example for them. Like him, they must expect their bodies to feel weak. They would be extremely tired. They would experience pain. They would be sad. They might even die because they followed him.

To be a disciple of Jesus is never easy. All people suffer hard things in life. Some people think that a Christian will not have hard things. But this is not true. There will even be extra troubles for real disciples. But the end of verse 19 speaks about a reward. Jesus would suffer. But he would then get a reward. It would be the same for all his disciples, in every age.

Questions

1. Imagine that you are one of the people in the parable. Whom do you identify with easily? What feelings does the story give you?

2. Think about the members of your church as a society. Would they be willing to share in what Jesus suffered? Other churches or people could be models. Your church group could get good ideas from them. Can you think of any examples of this?

3. You may think that the master in the story was not fair. Some of the men had worked all day. Other men had done hardly any work. But he gave the same wage to everyone. Can you explain why God would act like this? Pretend that you are talking to someone. He says that we cannot know that God even exists. He also tries to get rights for all workers. What could you say to him?

Matthew 19:13–30

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

¹⁶ Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

¹⁷ “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

¹⁸ “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, ¹⁹ honor your father and mother,’^[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b]”

²⁰ “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

²¹ Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

²⁷ Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife^[c] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Jesus reminded the people how to enter his kingdom. They must accept Jesus’ rule. Their possessions, too, must be available for Jesus to use.

Jesus is the friend of children (verses 13–15)

This short passage is a lovely one. In those days, people did not think that children had any worth. People often neglected children. But Jesus welcomed them. Then he used the situation, as he often did. He showed more about the nature of his kingdom.

In 18:1–13, Jesus emphasized different values. There were the values of his kingdom. Children have a simple trust. People must ‘become like little children in their minds’ (18:3). They must be humble, like a child (18:4). But also there were the values of people who did not believe in him. Their values were very different.

We must be like children in their attitudes. We must be ready for people to deal with us badly. We must be ready to be like a servant.

Jesus spoke to those who were rich (verses 16–30)

Jesus continued his final journey. He was on his way to Jerusalem city. He used every chance to teach important lessons. Jesus talked to a rich young man. Jesus showed the way to enter his kingdom. Two words describe how to enter his kingdom. They are trust and obey. This is what everyone must do. Each person must trust Jesus and they must obey Jesus. That is the way to have salvation.

The young man who came to Jesus was rich. He was a man with honor. He was an honest, good man. He was attractive too. (Read Mark 10:21.) He was a local leader. (Read Luke 18:18.) He had many advantages. But he was still not satisfied. He felt that he did not have a right relationship with God (verse 16). Because he had this sense of need, he ran to Jesus. (Read Mark 10:17.)

Jesus’ talk with the young man teaches us two things. The young man believed that he could cause God to be pleased with him. But he thought that he could do this by his own efforts. He had tried very hard. But he still did not feel at peace. Jesus told him that effort is never enough. To please God, he must have complete trust in him. He must put Jesus first in his life. He must follow Jesus (verse 21).

The whole book of Matthew emphasizes this. Only Jesus’ death can deal with the problem of sin. Any personal effort must fail. The young man’s reaction to Jesus was very, very sad. His money was most important to him. So he did not follow Jesus (verse 22). Jesus’ demands were too great for him. This meant that the young man remained unhappy.

Read verses 23–26 again. In each century, people have had the same idea about this passage. They suggest that Jesus was describing something that was very hard. But Jesus was clearly speaking about something that was impossible. The disciples understood this (verses 25–26). We must learn about the beliefs of Jews at that time. Then it will become even clearer. Today, we tend to think that God loves poor people specially. But in the first century, it was the opposite. Then, people thought that a person’s wealth and success was important. These things showed that God was pleased with them. That was what people thought then.

Jesus emphasized that even a rich man could not save himself. This showed that nobody could ever earn salvation by personal effort. Then Jesus continued. What is impossible for humans is possible for God. God can do all things. It does not matter how rich we are. And it does not matter how important we are (verse 30). We do not earn salvation. We receive it as a gift from God.

Jesus demanded much from the young man. But Jesus did not want people to have the wrong idea about salvation. It does not mean that life will be hard all the time. Salvation gives us many joys in this life (verse 29). Then there is the life that is future. There will be more than anyone could want or imagine then (verse 28).

Questions

1. What possessions should I keep for my family and for me? What proportion should I give away? How does this passage help?

2. The Christian gospel means Good News. Jesus showed that there are demands and there are joys. How could the members of the church explain these things to people? Some people do not think very seriously at all. Other people think very seriously. They could feel that they must give away everything. How could you help both of these groups?

3. What things stop your neighbors and friends from following Jesus today? How much do possessions take God’s place in their lives?

Matthew 19:1–12

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. ² Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’^{[a] 5} and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’^[b]? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹² For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

God established marriage. His purpose was that it should last for the whole of life. Jesus had been teaching his disciples. Now he had finished this special period. He left the Galilee district for the last time. He began his final journey. He was going to Jerusalem. (Read verses 1–2.) Jesus was still popular with all the people. They were enjoying his miracles. But, more and more, the authorities were against him. They wanted to stop his work. So they asked Jesus a question. They thought that this would cause trouble between those who liked Jesus. Then Jesus’ authority would be weaker.

The subject of divorce was a serious matter at the time. Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee. He had recently had a divorce from his wife. Then he married his brother Philip’s wife. John the Baptist said that this was wrong. Because of this, Herod put John in prison. Then, later, he ordered a soldier to cut off John’s head. (Read 14:1–12.)

Jewish teachers had different ideas about divorce. Some of these teachers were stricter. But all the Jewish teachers agreed about the fact of divorce. It was the right of every man to get a divorce from his wife. (Of course, there must be proper reasons for a divorce.)

This explained the Pharisees’ question (verse 3). They wanted Jesus to say which group was right. Jesus’ reply was very clever. He spoke about what God had first intended. God made man and he made woman. God set up the state of marriage. He intended that it should last for the whole of life. So, there should never be a divorce. (Read verses 4–6.)

Jesus answered the question well. But his enemies had not finished. This idea of Jesus did not agree with the laws of Moses. And Moses had given God’s Law to Israel’s people (verse 7). The Pharisees were hopeful that people would not follow Jesus now.

But again, Jesus spoke in a clever way. Moses had allowed people to divorce. But that did not make it right. (Read verses 8–9.) And there was something else. Moses allowed divorce because of the people’s sin. But that did not mean that divorce was right for all the people.

Then Jesus seemed to give one reason for a divorce. He seemed to say that the person could marry again too. (Read 19:9.) The woman may have had sex with another man. Then the husband would be free. This statement of Jesus still causes much discussion today. The phrase is not in Mark 10:12 or Luke 16:18. There is a possible reason for this. The book of Mark and the book of Luke were for Gentiles (non-Jews).

For Jews there were three periods to a marriage. There could be a divorce before the marriage. (This was what Joseph was going to do to Mary.) So, Jesus may have been speaking about an event that was like that.

Look at what the disciples said in verse 10. We can understand why they replied in that way. They thought that perhaps it was best not to marry at all. But it is harder for us to understand Jesus’ words in verses 11 and 12. A couple must work hard to have a good marriage. But it may not be a good thing for everyone to marry.

In Jewish society, it was usual for people to marry. But Jesus gave examples of when this might not happen (verse 12). There could be physical reasons. Or, a person might not marry because of his work for God.

But Jesus was very clear about one thing. We can be sure about it. Divorce was not in God’s original plan (19:8).

[Note: Read 1 Corinthians 7. This chapter has interesting information.]

Divorce and remarriage

There are many different ideas about this subject. They come from this passage. They also come from other passages that are in the Bible. We cannot print them all. But here are some main points.

The Bible is very clear about two things. First, God meant marriage to last for the whole of life. Second, God hates divorce. (Read Genesis 2:24 with Malachi 2:16.)

However, the Bible also shows that marriages do fail. This is because of the effects of sin. It seems that divorce is sometimes possible. (Read Deuteronomy 24:1.) But Jesus’ words in 19:9 are very strong. Someone might marry again before the death of the former partner. But this would be like the sin called ‘adultery’. (This means sex between a married person and someone who is not the partner.)

There are three main questions to discuss:

What are the reasons for divorce? In one way, there are none. Nobody has a right to get a divorce. Yet, the Bible allows divorce. But it is not clear for what reasons the Bible would allow it. There are three ideas about reasons for a divorce. First, there is the adultery of the other partner. (This is when one partner in a marriage has sex with someone else.) Or, one partner may leave the other partner. 1 Corinthians 7:15 refers to this. Another reason for divorce may include other sexual sins. Lastly, some people say that the Bible does not give specific reasons for a divorce. They say that a person and their minister (pastor) must decide. They should do this when the marriage fails completely.

Can a person marry again? Most Christians would agree that it is possible to marry again. (But many of them may feel that it is not always a good idea!) Some people believe that there is only one reason to marry again. That should be after the death of the former partner. Other people think something else. It is this. Divorce means that a person can marry again. (They may agree that the Bible’s way is the best way. So it could mean that the marriage would be wrong. But these people still feel that the couple can marry again.)

What do the words mean? We cannot discuss all of the difficulties here. But they should help us not to be sure that we are always right. We should be generous to those who do not agree with us too. This matter is very painful to some people. This is because it affects them in a personal way. We must always think about how they feel.

1. It is possible to use the Bible in the wrong way. The Pharisees often did this. They would use one passage in the Bible to oppose another passage. In this way, they could avoid the demands of God’s word. People today can think about all the difficult passages that are in the Bible. They will often discuss them. But they do not obey God’s demands. Have you ever done this?

2. Think about marriage. Think about divorce. And think about when people marry again in our time. What do you learn about this subject in your church? Does it agree with this part of the Bible?

3. Jesus was ready to say when people’s ideas were wrong. Can you do this too? What ideas would Jesus say are wrong in our time? Christians must say these things now, instead of Jesus. Are you ready to say these things?

Matthew 18:1–14

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Causing to Stumble

⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

¹⁰ “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. ^[11] [a]

¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Disciples of Jesus must be willing to be of no importance. Then they will be really great. At this time in Jesus’s ministry, the disciples had much to learn. They still wanted to be important and to have power. This was why they asked the question in verse 1. Jesus used a little child to teach two lessons.

Little children do not relate to people in the same way that adults do. Status (to be important) or color do not mean anything to them. But they often see a person’s real character. Adults learn to judge other people. Children ignore the standards that adults use. In the ancient world, children did not have any worth. But they often came to Jesus. It did not matter what a child might be like. Jesus always welcomed each child. And he expected his disciples to do the same (verse 5).

Jesus taught another lesson in verses 6–9. We should have attitudes like little children. Jesus had just been speaking about this. So, he could be warning about when one Christian causes another Christian to stumble. That is a serious matter! Jesus gave a severe warning against all those who do this to His children. The fire of hell waits for all those who cause His children to stumble. (Read verses 8–9.)

How terrible!

Someone can do bad things to a ‘little person’. That ‘little person might then lose his or her faith in Jesus. There will be an awful punishment for a person who causes this. Jesus described what it would be like (verse 6).

First, Jesus spoke about a millstone. It would be round that person’s neck. A millstone was a huge stone. It had a hole in the middle. It was so heavy that a large animal must move it. Then Jesus spoke about that person when he would be drowning. For a Jew, to drown was one of the worst ways to die. It was even worse if it happened far from Jewish land. So, it would be a terrible death. That person would not be able to escape it. Jesus even said that this kind of death would be better than his punishment!

Jesus said, ‘ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ’

Jesus ended his teaching with a story. He told a parable about sheep. He wanted real disciples to show the character of God. God’s gentle care is for all ‘little ones’.

Jesus said that children have angels as their friends. In those days, people thought that children had no worth. But this was wrong. (Read verse 1.) The Jews of Jesus’ time believed that nations had angels. But they had never suggested that children had them too. This included one child or a group of children.

In the parable, God is like a shepherd. (A shepherd is someone who looks after sheep.) God looks for any sheep that is lost. He is very, very happy when he finds it. In just the same way, he does not want to lose any ‘little ones’. Real disciples should have the same attitude as the father in heaven.

Questions

1. Do you want to have an important position among your Christian friends? Think about ways in which you try to become more important. How can you avoid these ambitions?

2. How could you cause someone to lose his or her faith in Jesus (18:6)?

3. A non-Christian might visit your church. Would he or she want to become a Christian?

Matthew 17:1–13

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus was preparing for his death. He chose three of his disciples for something special. He let them see how strong and how wonderful he was. (He let them see his glory.)

Peter had declared that Jesus was the Messiah. (Read 16:16.) Jesus told his disciples not to say anything about it. (See 16:20. Compare 17:9.) . Jesus wanted to explain things to them more completely. They still had much to learn. They knew that he was the Messiah. Now they must learn what that meant. They must learn what it meant to be his disciples as well. This teaching began in 16:21–28.

Here, in 17:1–13, Jesus continued this teaching. He did it in a very special and wonderful way. Matthew saw it as a way to teach. It would have confirmed his task to him. Bad things were going to happen to him. And it would have given him strength for that time.

Peter believed in Jesus. But he still argued with Jesus. (Read 16:22.) Yet, Jesus chose Peter to climb the mountain with him. Jesus took only two other disciples with him.

Two very important things happened on the mountain. First, Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah. For the Jews, they were the greatest OLD TESTAMENT men of God. God used Moses to give his laws to the Jews. (The first 5 books of the OLD TESTAMENT are called The Law. Moses wrote them.) Elijah was a great prophet. The prophets wrote many books of the OLD TESTAMENT. (Jews called these books The Prophets.) So, it is clear that both the Law and the Prophets spoke about Jesus. (Compare Luke 9:31 too.)

Then, the disciples heard a voice that came from heaven. The words were similar to those that are in Deuteronomy 18:15. So, the voice that came from heaven emphasis ed the truth about Jesus. Jesus was (and is) the person whom God has chosen. Jesus speaks for God. There was a lesson for Peter here. It was: ‘Do not argue. Listen to him.’

Read again Matthew’s account of this great event. It reminds us about other verses in the Bible. First, there was the time when Moses met with God. (Read Exodus 34:29–35.) Moses’ face shone because he was so close to God. Jesus, too, shone all over. Then, read Revelation 1:13–16. There is a description of Jesus’ glory in heaven. Several things are similar to the event that is in Matthew 17. This is probably not a surprise. John wrote the book of Revelation. He was also with Jesus on the mountain.

But there was more than that. The disciples saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain. It suggested Jesus’ future glory. That would be when he had finished his work. In the days ahead, Jesus would die on the cross. The disciples would see this happen. Then they should remember this great event that happened on the mountain.

Peter had argued with Jesus (16:22). He probably thought that Jesus would establish a kingdom on earth. It was hard not to think about that sort of glory (17:4). But this event on the mountain was special. It showed what Jesus’ kingdom was really like. The disciples saw Jesus’ glory. It should make them think about greater things. It should affect their ambitions, too. Before this, they may have been looking for a kingdom on earth. Now, they should look for God himself. They should enjoy him.

Of course, Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. But Matthew concentrated on something else. It was the discussion between Jesus and his three disciples. This was when they returned from the mountain. Again, Jesus asked them not to speak about what had happened. The time was not yet right (verse 9). The disciples could not understand the event completely yet. The time would come when they would understand it. That would be when Jesus came back to life again.

The section ended with a question and Jesus’ reply. The disciples asked about Elijah. The prophets had said that Elijah would return. He would announce the Messiah. (Read 11:14.) Jesus had said that John the Baptist was this ‘Elijah’. Now the three disciples had seen Elijah! This was hard to understand. So, they asked Jesus about it (verse 10).

Jesus had been talking with Moses and Elijah. They spoke about Jesus’ death. The subject was not his great kingdom. Jesus repeated what he had said before. John the Baptist was the man who was like ‘Elijah’. The OLD TESTAMENT had said that he would come. Then Jesus said something that was important. John the Baptist had suffered. (Read 14:1–12.) And Jesus must suffer too (17:12).

There is another lesson to learn from this event. Jesus had said a strange thing. (Read 16:28.) It was about some people who were there with him. They would not die until they had seen Jesus in his kingdom. This passage explained his words. These people saw his glory there on the mountain. His glory continued to show too. Jesus came back to life again. He returned to heaven. Then he sent his Holy Spirit to live in all his people.

So the kingdom of Jesus advances all over the world. His kingdom grows in men and women. They all wait to see the full glory of Jesus. Satan (the devil) has not won. (Read 16:18.)

Questions

1. We have read a description of Jesus and his glory. How can this help us as disciples today?

2. The kingdom of God has already begun to come. Can you think of any examples of this truth? Perhaps there are some examples in your own church? In what ways can we see God’s power?

3. Imagine Jesus shows himself, as he did on the mountain. But he shows himself to each person in the world. What difference would that make? Think about the newspapers, television and radio. How would they report it? What would governments’ reactions be? Think about the different sections of society. What might their reactions be? After 5 years, would the world be a different place?

Matthew 16:13–20

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

What Jesus’ disciples understood about his work and about who he was?

Jesus was teaching his disciples more about himself. He had begun with a warning. (Read verses 5–12.) Then, he asked them a question. It was a very personal question. He said: ‘But what about you? Who do you say that I am?’

The disciples gave the answers of some other people (verse 14). The disciples did not mention the very negative attitude of the Pharisees. (Read 10:25 and 12:24.) But the disciples repeated Herod (14:2) and other people. Those people all said that Jesus was a great person. They even said that Jesus was special. Nobody else was like him. But those answers were not enough.

Peter spoke for the disciples (verse 16). None of them completely understood the words. But Peter made a very important claim. He said: ‘You are the Christ (Messiah).’ He was recognizing that Jesus was the chief prophet of God. In Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, Moses had spoken of this person. A great prophet would come one day. Peter believed that Jesus was that great prophet.

The Jews believed that the Messiah would be a great priest. He would be a priest forever. This belief came from Psalm 110:4.  Jews believed that the Messiah would be a king forever. This belief came from Psalm 2:6. The disciples believed that Jesus was both a priest and a king. Peter also described Jesus as ‘the Son of the Living God’. Jesus was God and Creator. (He created all things.) He keeps and supports all things too. (Read John 1:1–3 and Hebrews 1:1–3.)

The true Lord (Master, Ruler) and false lords

All these events happened near Caesarea Philippi. This was a town to the north of Galilee. Jesus left Galilee. And he left the crowds who had followed him. He wanted a quiet place. This was so that he could spend more time with his disciples.

We might ask why Jesus would choose Caesarea. It was an important religious centre. It was the main place for the worship of Baal. Baal was the chief god in the country called Syria. Those who worshipped Baal made all human pleasures their god, especially sex. But people also said that Pan was born there. Pan was the Greek god of nature. Men and women worshipped Pan. They were worshipping what God made, instead of the Creator. (The Creator is he who created all things.)

There was a great temple in Caesarea too. This was a special, large building. There, people would worship the emperor (ruler). He was just a man. But people worshipped him. They said that he was the master of the world.

All these things may be the reasons why Jesus chose this place. There were many other claims upon people. But Jesus called people to follow him only.

Peter, the rock (verses 17–19)

Men and women cannot understand spiritual things clearly on their own. Some people do understand them. If so, it is only because God has helped them. Here, Jesus showed a very important truth.

Jesus used two words in verse 18. Aramaic was the language that Jesus spoke. In Aramaic ‘Kappa’ meant a rock. ‘Kapuas’ was a name. Many people suggest that the rock was Peter’s faith. Other people think that Jesus was referring to himself as the rock. Other people think that Peter himself was the rock. Probably, it was none of these ideas.

The disciples were Jews. They probably thought that Jesus meant the stone for a foundation. Abraham was like this kind of stone. (Read Isaiah 51:1–2.) The building was the Jewish people. Abraham was its first stone. Jesus said that Peter was the first stone of the New Testasment church. (Note: The NT church is the people of God.)

Something made Peter like a rock. It was his words in verse 16. He was the first person to really understand who Jesus was and is. He was the first of many people who would believe the same thing. 1 Peter 2:4–9 describes all believers as like ‘stones that are alive’. Here, in Matthew 16:16–18, Jesus was teaching an important truth. It was for anyone who wanted to be a member of the real church. Peter’s words here would always be the principle. (Note: The church does not refer to a building. It refers to people who belong to Jesus. So, ‘the church’ means all real believers. They are the ‘stones that are alive’.)

The last words of verse 18 are hard to understand. The original Greek translation is important. It says: ‘The gates of Hades will not defeat it.’ In the Bible, the word ‘Hades’ can mean ‘hell’. But it can also mean ‘grave’. So it sometimes refers to death.

In the ancient world, many towns or villages had a large open space. It was behind the main entrance. This entrance was called the ‘gate’. It was here that people met together. They would make decisions about their lives and their village or town. Jesus could be referring to any plan that came from the ‘gate’ of hell. No plan that came from there would ever defeat the church. But, Hades could mean ‘death’. If so, it means that death itself would never defeat the church. This seems to be the most likely meaning.

To Jews, the ‘keys’ in verse 19 would mean teaching that had authority. All Jews would clearly understand this. So, Jesus was saying: ‘I will give the message of God. I will give it to you, Peter, and to all other stones who are like you.’ What men and women did with that message would decide their eternal future. (Eternal means before time began; for all time and forever.)

Questions

1. Who do people say that Jesus is? Write a list of answers. What is your own answer? How would you explain it? How can you live by it?

2. What gods do people worship in today’s society? Do the members of your church ever worship false things? (These false things could be important people or ideas. They could be wrong ideas about God himself. They are any things that become more important than God to people.)

3. Some people say that it does not matter what a person believes. They say, too, that there are many ways to get to God. What would you say to these people?

Matthew 16:1–12

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

² He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ ³ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.^{[a] 4} A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

⁵ When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Some people refused to believe. There was plenty of evidence. But nothing would convince them.

Matthew 16:1–12

The signs that prove who Jesus is

Some people refused to believe. There was plenty of evidence. But nothing would convince them.

These verses are very similar to 12:38–42. So, Jesus repeated some of his teaching. Matthew recorded it again too. This showed that the subject was important.

Some people chose not to understand (verses 1–4)

The Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted to test Jesus (verse 1). So they asked him to do a miracle. It would be like a sign. It would prove that he came from God. Read 12:38–42. These verses explain more about the incident. Jesus refused to do what they asked. The signs or proofs were already there. People who were willing to learn would know about them.

People would look at a red sky in the evening. They would know that the next day would have good weather. But a red sky in the morning meant the opposite. There would soon be a storm. This was what happened in ancient Israel. (This is true in other parts of the world today too.) The Jews knew how to understand signs like these. So Jesus told them to do the same with him.

They could already be sure that he came from God. Here are some of the signs or proofs:

•           Nobody else ever spoke as he did. (Read 7:28–29.)

•           He had done many great miracles.

•           He could control nature (Read 8:27.)

•           Even evil spirits knew him (8:29).

•           His whole life and work were already proof enough.

If the Jews would not believe all these signs, then nothing would convince them.

Then Matthew said something that was sad. He said: ‘Jesus left them and went away.’ (Read 15:22 too.) He will never stay with people who do not want him.

The disciples did not understand (verses 5–12)

We do not know why the disciples did not understand Jesus’ words (verse 6). But Jesus’ answer was clear. He was talking about the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The disciples must be careful about their teaching. Jesus taught something that was important. It was this. People’s thoughts affect the way that they act. And people’s actions affect the way that they think. This was true about the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The way that they thought affected their reaction to Jesus.

Jesus described their teaching. It was like yeast. This substance makes bread rise. That was why the disciples thought that Jesus was talking about bread! But in the Bible, yeast was often a word picture. It described something that affected all that it touched. It grew and it was powerful too.

We may want to know what teaching Jesus was thinking about in this passage. He did not explain. But, from what we know about the Pharisees, we can suggest certain things. First, the Pharisees had a wrong opinion of themselves. They thought that they were very holy. They thought that their lives were very good. So, they believed that they had a special relationship with God. Because of this, they could not understand that they needed Jesus.

The Pharisees had a wrong opinion of God’s purpose for the world too. God wanted all people to love him and to enjoy him. The Pharisees had failed to understand this. They did not want to share their God with the rest of the world. They were selfish with their religion. They only cared about obeying all the details of their laws.

To the Pharisees, the world that is future was not important. So they thought that this life was most important. That was especially true about the Sadducees. It made it very hard for them to receive Jesus.

Even today, it is easy to have attitudes like these. If we do, the result will be the same. We could easily think that we do not need Jesus either.

Questions

1. Do you wish that God would give you ‘signs’ of his will? He has already given many signs. They are in the Bible. They are in history. They are in your own life. Make a list of them.

2. Should people who belong to churches expect signs or miracles today? When do miracles help people to hear the word of God? When do they make it harder for people to hear the word of God?

3. What things stop people from receiving Jesus today? How can we help these people?