Matthew 16:13 to Matthew 17:1-8

Summary
In the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples what is the opinion, view and identity of the people about Him. The disciples responded by telling Him the people see Him as John the Baptist, others say He (Jesus) is Elijah, while others say He is Jeremiah or some of the Prophets. In response to these answers, Jesus asked the disciples who they (the disciples) think He is. Simon Peter answered saying that Jesus is the Christ (messiah), the son of the living God. Jesus blessed Simon Peter and acknowledges that the only way he knew the right answer of Jesus’ true identity is through revelation from the God the Father Himself.

Later on Jesus taught the disciples saying, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me”. He explained that in other to save your life you have to lose it for His sake. And there is no point in gaining the whole world but losing your life. Then He closed is teaching by letting them know that the Son of Man will come in the Father’s glory and will reward everyone according to his/her deeds.
Six days after this, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain. While they were there a change came over Jesus: his face was shining like a sun and his clothes were dazzling white. Then the three disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. At this Peter spoke up saying to Jesus- It would be good for him to build three Tents each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. While he was talking a Voice spoke through a shinning cloud that was over them saying, “This is my dear Son with whom I am pleased-listen to Him”

Life Application
Your perception of Jesus will determine the level of respect, honor and regard you give to Him. This will also affect what you can receive from Him. See Him in the true light by studying the bible and your life will be forever lightened. When you understand Him much more, you will be willing to follow him truly. Seek to know Him because he has so many good stuffs to share with you.

Personal Declaration
I will seek Jesus and trust Him with my whole life. Everything about me glows and works because Jesus is with me.

Reading – Matthew 16:13 to Matthew 17:1-8

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

¹³ 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,^[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades^[c] will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[e] loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Predicts His Death

²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Manis going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The Transfiguration

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.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 16:3 Some early manuscripts do not have When evening comes … of the times.
2. Matthew 16:18 The Greek word for Peter means rock.
3. Matthew 16:18 That is, the realm of the dead
4. Matthew 16:19 Or will have been
5. Matthew 16:19 Or will have been
6. Matthew 16:25 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verse 26.

All scriptural passages are taken from the NIV version of the bible.