Matthew 16:13-20

Expanded Bible

Peter Says Jesus Is the Christ^(A)

¹³ When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi [^C25 miles north of Lake Galilee near Mount Hermon], he asked his ·followers [disciples], “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah [^Csome Jews expected Elijah to return in the end times; Mal. 4:5], and still others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets [Deut. 18:15].”

¹⁵ Then Jesus asked them, “·And [But] who do you say I am?”

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

¹⁷ Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because ·no person taught you that [^Lflesh and blood did not reveal this to you]. [^LBut; Rather] My Father in heaven ·showed you who I am [revealed it]. ¹⁸ So I tell you, you are Peter [^Cthe Greek petros, like the Aramaic cephas, means “rock” or “stone”]. On this rock I will build my church, and the ·power of death [^Lgates of Hades/the underworld] will not be able to ·defeat [overpower; conquer; prevail against] it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; ·the things [and whatever] you ·don’t allow [forbid; ^Lbind] on earth will be ·the things that God does not allow [forbidden/^Lbound in heaven], and ·the things [whatever] you ·allow [permit; ^Lloose] on earth will be ·the things that God allows [permitted/^Lloosed in heaven].” ²⁰ Then Jesus [sternly] warned his ·followers [disciples] not to tell anyone he was the ·Christ [Messiah].