matthew-16:16-18,-acts-2:31-41-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered and said. The ardent Peter, when all were asked, replies in the name of the rest, giving, however, his own personal sentiment and belief, as we see from Christ's answer ( Matthew 16:17 ). Some of the others probably would have been less ready to make the same confession; but in his vehement loyalty, Peter silences all hesitation, and declares boldly what must be the conviction of all his comrades. He speaks out the persuasion wrought in his soul by Divine grace. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:16

Visions of the mystery of Christ. It was the end and aim of our Lord's life to reveal the mystery of himself to his disciples. But what is so strange and yet so significant is, that he made scarcely any direct declarations on the subject. He evidently wanted it to be the impression left by his presence, his words, and his works. Later on in his life we find more of what may, in a good sense, be called self-assertion. But in his earlier ministry he virtually answered all inquiries as he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:17

Jesus answered and said unto him. This weighty and momentous answer is given alone by St. Matthew. St. Mark, who wrote under the instruction of Peter, and for Roman Christians, mentions it not; the other two evangelists are equally silent, having evidently not understood the special importance attached to it. Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona. "Blessed," as in the sermon on the mount ( Mark 5:1-43 .), expressing a solemn benediction, not a mere encomium. Peter was highly favoured by a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

And I say also ( I also say ) unto thee. As thou hast said unto me, "Thou art the Christ," so I say unto thee, etc. Thou art Peter ( πέτρος , Petrus ) , and upon this rock ( πέτρα , petra ) I will build my Church. In classical Greek, the distinction between πέτρα and πέτρος is well known—the former meaning "a rock," the latter "a piece of rock," or "a stone." But probably no such distinction is intended here, as there would be none in Aramaic. There is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

The rock on which the Church is built. This famous sentence, which is emblazoned in great letters of gold round the interior of the dome of St. Peter's at Rome, has been a centre of controversy in the Church for generations. It would be beside our present need to discuss the history of that controversy. Leaving out of account the angry arguments of polemical theology, let us see what positive truth our Lord is here teaching us; for too often the jewel of truth is lost by both parties in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

The rock truth. "Upon this rock I will build my Church." There has been grave dispute over this passage. Is the rock foundation of the Church Without entering into that discussion, we may simply say that this is true—the confession which Peter made expresses the foundation, the rock truth of Christianity, every doctrine of which rests secure on the Divine-human Sonship of our Lord. Peter is taken as representing this rock truth, because he was the first distinctly to give it expression.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 16:13-20

See also Mark 8:27-29, and Luke 9:18-20.Cesarea Philippi - There were two cities in Judea called Caesarea. One was situated on the borders of the Mediterranean (See the notes at Acts 8:40), and the other was the one mentioned here. This city was greatly enlarged and ornamented by Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod, and called Caesarea in honor of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. To distinguish it from the other Caesarea the name of Philip was added to it, and it was called Caesarea Philippi,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 16:13-16

Matthew 16:13-16. When Jesus came, &c. There was a large interval of time between what has been related already, and what follows. The passages that follow were but a short time before our Lord suffered: came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi “This city, while in the possession of the Canaanites, was called Lesheim, Joshua 19:47; and Laish, Judges 18:27. But when the children of Dan took it, they named it after their progenitor. In latter times it was called Paneas, from the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 16:17

Matthew 16:17. Jesus answered, Blessed [or happy, as μακαριος signifies] art thou, Simon Bar-jona, (or the son of Jonas,) namely, in being brought thus firmly to believe and confess this most important truth, on believing and confessing which the present and everlasting salvation of mankind depends. For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee “Thou hast not learned it by human report, or the unassisted sagacity of thy own mind; but my Father in heaven has discovered it to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:13-23

73. Peter’s confession of the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-23; Mark 8:27-33; Luke 9:18-22)Jesus and the apostles travelled up to Caesarea Philippi, in the far north of Palestine. While there, Jesus asked the apostles who they believed him to be. Peter, probably speaking for the group, replied that he was the promised Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 16:13-16).Delighted at this insight, Jesus told the group (through words addressed to their spokesman Peter) that they would be the foundation on which... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 16:13-20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 16:13-16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 16:17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:13-23

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