Matthew 16
International Children’s Bible
The Leaders Ask for a Miracle
16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They wanted to trap him. So they asked him to show them a miracle to prove that he was from God.
2 Jesus answered,[a] “When you see the sunset, you know what the weather will be. If the sky is red, then you say we will have good weather. 3 And in the morning if the sky is dark and red, then you say that it will be a rainy day. You see these signs in the sky, and you know what they mean. In the same way, you see the things that are happening now. But you don’t know their meaning. 4 Evil and sinful people ask for a miracle as a sign. But they will have no sign—only the sign of Jonah.”[b] Then Jesus left them and went away.
Guard Against Wrong Teachings
5 Jesus and his followers went across the lake. But the followers forgot to bring bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Be careful! Guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”
7 The followers discussed the meaning of this. They said, “Did Jesus say this because we forgot to bring bread?”
8 Jesus knew that they were talking about this. So he asked them, “Why are you talking about not having bread? Your faith is small. 9 You still don’t understand? Remember the five loaves of bread that fed the 5,000 people? And remember that you filled many baskets with bread after the people finished eating? 10 And remember the seven loaves of bread that fed the 4,000 people? Remember that you filled many baskets then also? 11 So I was not talking to you about bread. Why don’t you understand that? I am telling you to be careful and guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 12 Then the followers understood what Jesus meant. He was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread. He was telling them to guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Peter Says Jesus Is the Christ
13 Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, “I am the Son of Man. Who do the people say I am?”
14 They answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And others say that you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 Then Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. 18 So I tell you, you are Peter.[c] And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. The things you don’t allow on earth will be the things that God does not allow. The things you allow on earth will be the things that God allows.” 20 Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Jesus Says That He Must Die
21 From that time on Jesus began telling his followers that he must go to Jerusalem. He explained that the Jewish elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law would make him suffer many things. And he told them that he must be killed. Then, on the third day, he would be raised from death.
22 Peter took Jesus aside and began to criticize him. Peter said, “God save you from those things, Lord! Those things will never happen to you!”
23 Then Jesus said to Peter, “Go away from me, Satan![d] You are not helping me! You don’t care about the things of God. You care only about things that men think are important.”
24 Then Jesus said to his followers, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must say ‘no’ to the things he wants. He must be willing even to die on a cross, and he must follow me. 25 Whoever wants to save his life will give up true life. And whoever gives up his life for me will have true life. 26 It is worth nothing for a man to have the whole world if he loses his soul. He could never pay enough to buy back his soul. 27 The Son of Man will come again with his Father’s glory and with his angels. At that time, he will reward everyone for what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth. There are some people standing here who, before they die, will see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom.”
Footnotes
- 16:2 answered Some Greek copies do not have the rest of verse 2 and verse 3.
- 16:4 sign of Jonah Jonah’s three days in the big fish are like Jesus’ three days in the tomb. The story about Jonah is in the book of Jonah.
- 16:18 Peter The Greek name “Peter,” like the Aramaic name “Cephas,” means “rock.”
- 16:23 Satan Name for the devil, meaning “the enemy.” Jesus means that Peter was talking like Satan.
Matthew 16
English Standard Version
The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs
16 (A)And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and (B)to test him (C)they asked him to show them (D)a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them,[a] (E)“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ (F)You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret (G)the signs of the times. 4 (H)An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So (I)he left them and departed.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and (J)beware of (K)the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But (L)Jesus, aware of this, said, (M)“O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 (N)Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember (O)the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or (P)the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? (Q)Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 (R)Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of (S)the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
13 (T)Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say (U)John the Baptist, others say (V)Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, (W)“You are (X)the Christ, (Y)the Son of (Z)the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, (AA)“Blessed are you, (AB)Simon Bar-Jonah! For (AC)flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, (AD)but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, (AE)you are Peter, and (AF)on this rock[b] I will build my church, and (AG)the gates of (AH)hell[c] shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you (AI)the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and (AJ)whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[d] in heaven.” 20 (AK)Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 (AL)From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that (AM)he must go to Jerusalem and (AN)suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on (AO)the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord![e] This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, (AP)“Get behind me, Satan! You are (AQ)a hindrance[f] to me. For you (AR)are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him (AS)deny himself and (AT)take up his cross and follow me. 25 For (AU)whoever would save his life[g] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For (AV)what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or (AW)what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 (AX)For the Son of Man is going to come with (AY)his angels in the glory of his Father, and (AZ)then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not (BA)taste death (BB)until they see the Son of Man (BC)coming in his kingdom.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 16:2 Some manuscripts omit the following words to the end of verse 3
- Matthew 16:18 The Greek words for Peter and rock sound similar
- Matthew 16:18 Greek the gates of Hades
- Matthew 16:19 Or shall have been bound… shall have been loosed
- Matthew 16:22 Or “[May God be] merciful to you, Lord!”
- Matthew 16:23 Greek stumbling block
- Matthew 16:25 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and twice in verse 26
Matthew 16
King James Version
16 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
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 lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Matthew 16
New King James Version
The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign(A)
16 Then the (B)Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ [a]Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 (C)A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of [b]the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees(D)
5 Now (E)when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, (F)“Take heed and beware of the [c]leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”
8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you [d]have brought no bread? 9 (G)Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 (H)Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the [e]leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the [f]doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ(I)
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, (J)“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, (K)“Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or (L)one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do (M)you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, (N)“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, (O)for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but (P)My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that (Q)you are Peter, and (R)on this rock I will build My church, and (S)the gates of Hades shall not [g]prevail against it. 19 (T)And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [h]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 (U)Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(V)
21 From that time Jesus began (W)to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, [i]“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, (X)Satan! (Y)You are [j]an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him(Z)
24 (AA)Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and (AB)follow Me. 25 For (AC)whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what (AD)profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or (AE)what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For (AF)the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father (AG)with His angels, (AH)and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, (AI)there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 16:3 NU omits Hypocrites
- Matthew 16:4 NU omits the prophet
- Matthew 16:6 yeast
- Matthew 16:8 NU have no bread
- Matthew 16:11 yeast
- Matthew 16:12 teaching
- Matthew 16:18 be victorious
- Matthew 16:19 Or will have been bound . . . will have been loosed
- Matthew 16:22 Lit. Merciful to You (May God be merciful)
- Matthew 16:23 a stumbling block
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.