Week 14: Matthew Chapter 16, 17
Week 14: Matthew Chapters 16 & 17
I.
Matthew 16:1–4
a.
The Text - The Demand for a Sign.
The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, to test him, asked him to show them a
sign from heaven. 2 He said to them in reply, “[In the evening
you say, ‘Tomorrow will be fair, for the sky is red’; 3 and, in
the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You
know how to judge the appearance of the sky, but you cannot judge the signs of
the times.] 4 An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and
went away.
b.
Literary Context - Jesus is teaching in
Galilee and encounters opposition from the religious authorities. The
references to the signs of the times suggest that the authorities are not able
to understand the prophecies about him. They have a fixed interpretation
(hermeneutic) of the scriptures and are unable to see what is clearly happening
in their midst.
c.
The Big Idea - The sign that Jesus will
give is the "sign of Jonah:" three days in the belly of the beast.
The sign of contradiction.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
How can I be sure that my own
understanding of the scriptures is valid?
II.
Matthew 16:5–12
a.
The Text - The Leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees. 5 In coming to the other side of the sea, the
disciples had forgotten to bring bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Look out,
and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They concluded
among themselves, saying, “It is because we have brought no bread.” 8 When
Jesus became aware of this he said, “You of little faith, why do you conclude
among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet
understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and
how many wicker baskets you took up? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four
thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 11 How do you not comprehend
that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling
them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
b.
Literary Context - After the episode
with the religious authorities demanding a sign Jesus is instructing his
disciples about their teaching ("the leaven of the Pharisees"). The
disciples demonstrate a remarkable lack of understanding by likening
"leaven" to bread, when Jesus has already demonstrated he can
essentially produce bread from thin air. Jesus' criticism of his disciples is
harsh, but it is meant to promote deeper thinking about interpreting their
surroundings. "The miracles Jesus performs unlike the signs the Pharisees
demand, do not compel faith; but those with faith will perceive their
significance. "[1]
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus is compelling his
disciples (us) to interpret our surroundings by a heavenly standard
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
How can we be more sensitive to the
spiritual meaning of everyday events?
III.
Matthew 16:13–20
a.
The Text - Peter’s Confession About
Jesus. 13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he
asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They
replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or
one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that
he was the Messiah.
b.
Literary Context - The original
response to Jesus' first question reveals the morass of human ignorance.
Simon's spontaneous response to the second ("who do you say that I
am?") reveals a true understanding. Simon did not come to this conclusion
by deduction or human reason, it came from faith that was a gift from God.
Jesus announces that Simon is the rock (petros Πέτρος) upon which Jesus
will build his church. This has been interpreted by the Church to
identify the primacy of Peter and his successors in the office of Bishop of
Rome as the head of the visible Church and the Vicar of Christ.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus reveals himself to
the disciples as the Messiah.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
In what sense is the Pope
"infallible?"
ii.
How does this passage suggest we as
Catholic Christians should view the Papacy? Do we live up to that standard?
iii.
Why does Jesus tell the disciples not
to reveal him as the Messiah?
IV.
Matthew 16:21–23
a.
The Text - The First Prediction of
the Passion. 21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief
priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.
22 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!
No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God
does, but as human beings do.”
b.
Literary Context - Jesus begins to
reveal the true meaning of the Messiah as the suffering servant identified in
Isaiah (instead of the Davidic warrior king who would liberate Israel from
foreign rule). Peter's rebuke demonstrates that he is still lacking
understanding of Jesus' mission; an understanding he will not achieve until
after Jesus' ascension. How is Peter an obstacle? Remember that Jesus is God
but he is also man, and as a man he must be tempted to abandon his mission and
live out his life.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus begins to reveal
his messianic mission as prophesied. This mission runs counter to human
imagination.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
How do we deal with the Peters in our
lives, people who mean well but try to divert us from spiritual things?
V.
Matthew 16:24–28
a.
The Text - The Conditions of
Discipleship. 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to
come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For
whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my
sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole
world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Amen, I say
to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see
the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
b.
Literary Context - Jesus points to a
higher and more enduring truth than can be seen through human eyes. The
disciples are destined for this truth but to achieve it must suffer with Jesus.
Jesus hints at a final judgment where every person will be triad according to
their deeds. Then Jesus makes the astonishing announcement that some of his
audience will still be alive to see Jesus "coming in his kingdom."
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus points to a higher
and more enduring truth than can be seen through human eyes.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
How do you experience the cost of
discipleship?
ii.
How do you explain his prophecy of the
coming of his kingdom within the lifetimes of those present?
VI.
Matthew 17:1–8
a.
The Text - The Transfiguration of
Jesus. 1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured
before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one
for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a
shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved
Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples
heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 But Jesus
came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when
the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
b.
Literary Context - Jesus takes his
inner three to a "high mountain" and reveals who he really is. A high
mountain is the place of meeting between God and his people. Is this the
revelation that Jesus predicted in the last chapter? The appearance of Moses
and Elijah is widely considered to represent the law and the prophets. That
they must now "listen to him" demonstrates the primacy of Christ. The
appearance of the glory of God in the cloud causes the disciples to prostrate
in fear. This is what is meant by the fear of the Lord. When Jesus touches
them, he alleviates their fear. Moses and Elijah have passed from the scene,
and only Christ remains.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus takes his
inner three to a "high mountain" and reveals who he really is.
d.
Key question(s) for today
VII.
Matthew 17:9–13
a.
The Text - The Coming of Elijah. 9 As
they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the
vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10
Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come
first?” 11 He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all
things; 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not
recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man
suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was
speaking to them of John the Baptist.
b.
Literary Context - Other sources at
this point have the disciples wondering about what being "raised from the
dead" means, which indicates they don't really understand the narrative
Jesus is trying to teach them. They then ask about Elijah. Why do the scribes
say Elijah must come first? [23 Now I am sending to you Elijah the
prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day; 24 He will turn the heart of fathers to
their sons, and the heart of sons to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the
land with utter destruction. (Malachi 3:23–24). Jesus answers that the scribes
are correct in their interpretation of the prophecy but fail to recognize that
one has already come to "make straight the way of the Lord." The
disciples understand that Jesus is talking about John the Baptist, but that
does not indicate they understand the messianic mission. The episode is a small
step toward understanding.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus shows how the
religious authorities' interpretation of the prophecy can be correct yet still
miss the point.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
Give an example of a time you were sure
about the meaning of something from scripture and later realized it had a deeper
meaning?
VIII.
Matthew 17:14–21
a.
The Text - The Healing of a Boy with
a Demon. 14 When they came to the crowd a man approached, knelt down
before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic
and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. 16 I
brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus said
in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you? Bring him here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked him and
the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. 19 Then
the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it
out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to
you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this
mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be
impossible for you.”
b.
Literary Context - This is a commentary
on faith and its types. What is meant here by "little faith" probably
points to poor faith, as opposed to deep, certain faith. Jesus points out that
divine healing comes from God and not from the human healer. In order to be
effective, the healer must have absolute confidence that he is but a channel.
In that case, the only thing required for the healing is faith. No amount of
form or ritual will suffice. Faith healing is not magic.
c.
The Big Idea - Faith healing is not
magic.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
Do you find yourself unable to realize
your desires even though you earnestly pray? Why do you think that is?
IX.
Matthew 17:22–23
a.
The Text - The Second Prediction of
the Passion. 22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, 23 and they will kill him,
and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.
b.
Literary Context - The phrase "as
they were gathering" probably indicates the coming together of the
disciples after the Transfiguration. Soon after this Jesus will begin to make
his final journey to Jerusalem. By now the disciples must be assured that Jesus
is indeed the messiah, but they only have a partially formed idea about what
that means. Jesus has already told them that he must die and be raised, and
tells them again now. But all the disciples seem to grasp is the dying part,
not the resurrection.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus continues to
prepare the disciples for his upcoming crucifixion.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
Why do you think the disciples were
overwhelmed with grief? What does this tell us about their understanding of the
messianic mission? Where does my own understanding stand in relation to theirs?
X.
Matthew 17:24–27
a.
The Text - Payment of the Temple
Tax. 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax
approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to
speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of
the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?”
26 When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects
are exempt. 27 But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a
hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a
coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”
b.
Literary Context - The Temple tax was a
tax in support of the Temple. It was not the same as taxes paid to the Romans.
It is like the offerings we make to the Church. According to the Navarre the
tax was probably not mandatory with many exempt and some who just did not
pay. I think the criticism of the religious authorities would be similar
to a legalist churchgoer asking someone whether they added to the collection
basket, implying that to do so was necessary to be a "good" church
member. Since theologically Jesus is the Church, he is not obligated to pay the
Temple tax. This is the tension between legalism and moralism that Paul makes
when he addresses the topic of eating meat offered to idols. Those who are
spiritually mature know that idols are not real gods, so sacrificing to them is
empty and food sacrificed to them cannot harm. But there are many who are not
as mature, who could be led astray by seeing a Christian eating food offered to
idols. There is an obligation to protect them. So Paul writes, "make sure
that this liberty of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the
weak." (1 Cor. 8:9) This is what Jesus means by not giving offense.
c.
The Big Idea - Jesus warns that
Christian liberty must be tempered by responsibility to each other.
d.
Key question(s) for today
i.
Do my actions make a good example to
other Christians and the world?
[1] D.
A. Carson, “Matthew,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark,
Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1984), 363.
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