Now let’s jump right in to Matthew chapter 16 and it reads.
Matthew 16
[1] The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Who are the Sadducees? These are some of the elders that think they are IT. They don’t believe in life after death. Why then do they count themselves as religious leaders? They are Kenites, and do lie and teach falsely.
[2] He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
[3] And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
The times? Jesus is talking about the first advent. If they were “learned” then they would be seeking for this time. As it was written in Zecharia 9:9. Let’s read it and remember while we read, they should have known this scripture.
Zec.9:9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Back to Matthew and verse 4 reads.
Mat.16:4] A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
And, of course that sign would be that Jonah was in the belly of the fish 3 days. As Jesus would be in the belly of the earth for 3 days. And these Pharisees and Sadducees would deny it when it happens. Where else can we go to understand a little better? Proverbs 30:12 reads.
Prov30:12] There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
And in Isaiah 65:5 reads.
Isa.65:5] Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
So that’s what Jesus thinks of those who think they know more than He does. It is also what He thinks of those that teach falsely to his children. Back to Matthew 16 and verse 5 reads.
Matthew 16:5] And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
[6] Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
[7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
[8] Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
[9] Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
[10] Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
[11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
[12] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
So, Jesus is letting them know that both the Pharisees and the Sadducees are teaching false doctrine. But why are his disciples so dull headed? Remember, they are in the flesh and can’t think in the spirit. It’s hard for me to understand them, but then I think, it is them that have written this “for us”. Let’s remind ourselves of 1Cor.10:11 and it reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
That should help us understand the disciples. Now back to Matthew 16 verse 13 and it reads.
[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?
[14] And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Isaiah or Jeremiah. Remember this was translated into Greek, not Hebrew.
[15] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[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.
Jonah means dove, Bar means son of. Which together means Son of the dove, Son of the Holy Spirit.
Mat.16:18] 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.
[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.
[20] Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
In Luke 10:19 Jesus gave power to all of us over evil spirits. This means that if you bind an evil spirit on earth and send it back to the Father, it will be bound there in heaven. If you free a person on earth from an evil spirit, then they too shall be free in heaven. This is a promise from Jesus.
Mat.16:21] From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Jesus tells us right here who kills him. Its not the Romans, it is the chief priest and elders. The Kenites, of that wicked one. The Serpents seed. Also, that he’d be risen on the third day. But Peter, out of love, can’t believe this.
Mat.16:22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
[23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
He understood Peter’s love, but for our sake in these end times, tells us to think spiritually that we may be strong before Satan.
Mat.16:24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Jesus Christ is our Savior. No other man can save a soul, especially his own. Be not afraid for God will never leave you or forsake you.
Mat.16:26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Remember Mat.4. when Satan offered Jesus the whole world if He would bow and worship him. In this world Satan has the power to give it to you. Don’t be tempted of him, but worship God.
Mat.16:27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
[28] Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
These disciples would see Jesus 3 days after his crucifixion. And in all his glory, praise the LORD.
Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you, in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible