Verse 13 → “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do
men say that I the Son of man am?”
What is the timeline? When did Jesus come into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi?
“Caesarea Philippi” → about 20 miles north of Bethsaida
14:23 → “when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray”
Luke 9:18 → Jesus seems to ask the question directly after feeding the 5,000.
Since feeding the 5,000 took place near Bethsaida, Luke may have the chronological order.
Support for this → After Jesus calms the storm, they profess him as the Son of God.
“coasts” → (meros) portion or division
“Caesarea Philippi” → previously known as Paneas
The site of the “Cave of Pan” → A cave which had natural springs.
Pan → A pagan god worshiped by both Greeks and Romans
Paneas was changed to Caesarea Philippi in honor of the Philip the Tetrarch
It was in the region of Dan → Still within the boundaries of ancient Israel
“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” → He asks what others say first.
Throughout Matthew, Jesus has yet to ask a question regarding himself.
To fully understand the context of the Gospels, one must understand the timing of Jesus.
At this point, he had not yet publicly declared himself as the Messiah.
Many pastors and theologians miss this because of their preconceived assumptions.
From the context of this passage, Jesus likely is aware of what other men say.
He is setting up his next question to the disciples.

Verse 14 → “And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one
of the prophets.”
“John the Baptist” → Along with Herod, some thought Jesus was the prophet.
Understandable because Jesus’ ministry began to grow while John’s diminished.
“Elias” → (Elijah) The prophet who performed many miracles in the Old Testament. (And never died.)
Many similar miracles that Jesus did: weather, multiplying food, raising the dead
Malachi 4:5 → The promise that Elijah would come.
Matthew 17:12-13
“and others, Jeremias” → As if in the middle of writing, he remembered Jeremiah was mentioned.
The Jewish people were likely speculating for various reasons.
But none of them were saying the Messiah!

Verse 15 → “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”
Jesus gets to his main question.
Despite what the multitudes may believe, Jesus wants to know what the disciples believe.
This verse is often used in evangelism. → As a way of asking if someone is saved.
While it is a valid question, we want to be precise in our theology.
Some use Romans 10:9 to support this.
However, Paul time and again lays out salvation by faith without mentioning professing.
From the context of the verse, the mouth and heart are figurate.
But, it is a good question… Who do you say Jesus is?

Verse 16 → “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Simon Peter” → Peter had not yet received the name from Jesus yet.
“Christ” → (christos) anointed → Old Testament referred to Jesus as “mesh ee ah”, messiah
The name, Christ, carries a very specific meaning. → The anointed King of Israel.
“Son of the living God” → The phrase, Son of God/David, acknowledged his identity.
However, Christ, truly embodies his function and purpose.
To call him Christ is to submit to his authority.
“the living God” → A phrase often used in the Old Testament. (Describes his presence/power.)
“the voice of the living God speaking…”
“the living God is among you..”
“that he should defy the armies of the living God”
Psalm 115 compares the living God to false idols.

Verse 17 → “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood
hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
“Barjona” → bar = son; jona = Jonah; (the son of Jonah)
“for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee” → Peter did not come to this knowledge from men.
“but my Father which is in heaven” → The revelation of Christ was divinely revealed.
What does Jesus mean? → We have no account of God the Father speaking to Peter.
Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus → “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.”
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Christ was revealed by the Father. → Jesus was sent to earth/ preached the kingdom/ miracles

Verse 18 → “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
“Peter”→ (petros) rock; masculine [Peter is the subject so it is written as a nominative noun, subject]
“rock” → (petra) rock; feminine form [Rock is the indirect object so it is written as a dative noun]
“upon this rock I will build my church” → We must be VERY CAREFUL how we interpret this.
“church” → (ek klay see ah) a congregation, an assembly
Many pastors and theologians believe Jesus is talking about the Body of Christ.
However, if we study carefully, we will see that Jesus is talking about the Jewish people.
Peter was the leader who stood up at Pentecost and proclaimed Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 2:38-41 → Many preach that this was the founding of the church today.
However, we still see the kingdom gospel preached.
Acts 2 was the establishment of the Jewish congregation, those who repented!
“gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
“hell” → (hades) the grave, the place of departed souls
There is much debate over this verse. → What exactly does Jesus mean by this?
Matthew is the only gospel that records this line.
Modern evangelical churches love to use this verse as sort of a battle cry.
However, they don’t really know what they mean by this.
Remember, hell is not the kingdom, domain, or realm of Satan.
The hope of Israel was a resurrection and to receive eternal life within the kingdom of God.
Those Old Testament saints would overcome death and would be resurrected.

Verse 19 → “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.”
“the keys of the kingdom of heaven” → Peter and to a degree, the other disciples will receive authority.
Different denominations interpret this as the disciples preaching salvation to the world.
But the mystery gospel hasn’t come yet. → Therefore, it is about the kingdom!
The Catholics often incorporate keys into their symbols.
Catholics view Peter as their first Pope. → He passed the keys to them.
Their idea is that the kingdom will come as the Catholic church grows.
The Catholics commonly mix the kingdom gospel and mystery gospel.
But Peter, figuratively holding the keys, would go to Jerusalem and preach repentance.
Bind and loose → Peter and the disciples would take over Jesus’s ministry.
They would preach repentance to those willing, those who rejected they preached judgment.

Verse 20 → “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”
Jesus continued to keep his identity a secret.
It was not yet time for him to be glorified.