Ferrar Fenton Bible: Matthew 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees then coming to Him, tried Him by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. In response, however, He told them, "When evening comes, you say, 'Sign of fine weather, for the sky is fiery.' In the morning, 'It will be stormy, for the sky is fiery and threatening.' You pretenders! You know how to read the face of the sky; Why not the signs of the times? This depraved and corrupt race are in search of a sign; and no sign shall be given to it other than the sign of Jonah the prophet." And leaving them, He went away. And upon reaching the other side, His disciples found that they had forgotten to bring bread.

Jesus then addressing them, said, "Look out, and take care to keep free from the ferment of the Pharisees and Sadducees." But they, reflecting, said among themselves, "It is because we have brought no bread." Jesus perceiving this, however, said, "You sceptics! why do you debate among yourselves because you have not brought bread." Besides, do you not know, nor remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many bags you collected; nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered up? Why do you not understand that I spoke not to you concerning bread, but about avoiding the ferment of the Pharisees and Sadducees?"

They then fully comprehended that He had not told them to guard against the ferment of the bread of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but about avoiding their teaching.

Now when Jesus arrived at the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say, John the Baptizer; others Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But Who do you say that I am?" Then Simon Peter, replying, said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

Jesus answering said to him : "You are happy, Simon Bar-Jona; because flesh and blood have not revealed it to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I also tell you that you have said it; and upon that Rock I will build My church, and the gates of the Grave shall not overpower it. And to you I will give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you may bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you may dissolve upon earth shall be dissolved in heaven." He then enjoined His disciples to tell no one that He was the Messiah.

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure much from the elders, chief priests, and profes sors, and be murdered, and raised up the third day. But Peter, taking His hand, began to remonstrate with Him, saying, "Mercy on You, Master! This will never happen to You." Turning round, however, He said to Peter, "Depart from Me, you enemy! you are a stumbling-block to Me; because you do not reflect upon the thoughts of God, but of men."

Addressing His disciples, Jesus then said : "If any one desires to come after Me, let him deny Himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. But whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; and if he should lose his life for My sake, he shall find it. For what would it benefit a man, if he gain the whole world, but should lose his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come in the future in the majesty of His Father, accompanied by His angels; and then He will reward every one in proportion to his actions.¹ I tell you indeed, that there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death, until they see the Son of Man entering His own Kingdom."

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1. Job 34:11