Matthew 16

Matthew 16:1

THe Pharisees] Mark 8:11. Luke 12. 54.

with the Sadduces] Of these two sects, see chap. 3. 7. Though they were at great varance one with another, yet they agree together against Christ; as Herod and Pilace, Luke 23:12. Acts 4:27. But do what they can, Christ beareth away the victory, and triumpheth over them.

tempting him] To try whether he could do that which they desired; but their purpose was mught: their intent was, To seek some occasion to traduce him, or inform against him, chap. 19. 3. and 22. 18. Thus when wicked men can finde no evil in Gods ministers to accuse them of, they seek cunningly to ensuare them. Some think, curiosity onely moved them to seek a signe, which they doubted whether Christ could do or no, and so tempted him.

a signe from heaven] Such an one as Moses shewed, who sed our fathers with manna from heaven, John 6:31. Thus they seek to vilifie our Saviours former miracles, as earthly, to bring him into disgrace with the people.

Matthew 16:2

when it is evening] Ye are very carefull to observe the usuall signes of fair or foul weather to come.

Matthew 16:3

ye can discern] Gr. ye know how to discern.

the face] The outward shew of things, whereby one thing may be known from another, is in Scripture called, the face thereof.

can ye not discern] Or, ye cannot discern. Ye do not bend your mindes to it, Luke 12:56. Jeremiah 6:5. and Jeremiah 8:12. 2 Peter 2:9.

the signes of the times] So to discern, as to foresee what is like to fall out, and to dispose accordingly of your affairs. Or, the signes of the seasons: that is, of the choisest times, such as this is, Luke 12:56. the time of the coming of the Messis, whom ye professe you have long looked for, Acts 26:6-7. and of which time the miracles wrought by me are evident signes, being foretold by the prophets, Isaiah 35:4-6. Matthew 11:34. 5.

Matthew 16:4

adulterous generation] See Notes on chap. 12. 39.

seeketh after a signe] This shews their wickednesse, that, seeing miracles daily wrought by our Saviour, and such as they could not deny, John 11:47. yet they call still for one, as if no signe had been exhibited.

but the signe of the prophet Jonas] The article added in Greek shews it to be a notable signe, such an one as was shewed upon Jonas.

and he left them] Not barely, that he might go preach to others, as Luke 4:42-43. but as being justly offended with the hardnesse of their hearts, Mark 3:5. They came to tempt him, and not to learn of him, and therefore he leaves them.

Matthew 16:5

when his disciples were come to the other side] They forgot it, before they came into the ship, where they should have provided, as they used to do: but their forgetfulnesse appeared not till now, when need of bread had rubbed up their memories.

they had forgotten to take bread] Our Saviour departing suddenly, they were unwilling to be left behinde. Such was their love to him, and desire of his company, that they forgot to provide food for him and themselves.

Matthew 16:6

Take heed] Gr. See. Or, See to, chap. 18. 10. Examine it, and trie whether it be sound or no, 1 Thess. 5. 21. 1 John 4:1.

beware] Reject it, if ye finde it disagreeable to Gods word, as for the most part ye shall: for when it agrees with Moses his doctrine, it is to be received, chap. 23. 2, 3.

of the leaven] Of their doctrine, or rather, the corruption of it: rroneousnesse in doctrine being compared to leaven, because it tainteth it, and takes away the puritie of it, as leaven sowreth, and taketh away the sweetnesse of bread, Galatians 5:9. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. v. 12. False teachers then are to be heard with much warinesse, Matthew 7:15. This our Saviour teacheth them by a similtude taken from their forgetfulnesse of bread, v. 5.

of the Pharisees, and of the Sadues] The doctrine of these two sects did differ very much, but both were contrary to Christs doctrine, and would spread like leaven to infect the hearer, and both of them sought to entrap our Saviour; v. 1. and therefore he warns his disciples to beware of both. The Pharisees were much given to observation of humane traditions, even to the making void of Gods law, chap. 15. 3, 4, 5. and made a great shew of devotion, and strictnesse of life, when they were but meer hypocrites, chap. 23. 5, &c. Luke 12:1. The Sadduces maintained such points of doctrine, as overthrew all grounds of sound religion, Acts 23:8.

Matthew 16:7

among themselves] One said so to another privily. Or within themselves. Every one thought so in his heart.

It is because] The exhortation, v. 6. proeeds from hence We are reproved for our negligence.

Matthew 16:8

When Jesus perceived] Not by relation from them, (see on v. 7.) but by his divine power.

O ye of little faith] The root of doubtfulnesse about worldly provisions, is want or weaknesse of saith, chap. 6. 30, 31.

Why reason ye among your selves?] As if I could not feed you, unlesse you had brought bread with you, or should be beholding to the Pharisees for it.

because ye have brought no bread] As if the occasion of my speech were the want of bodily food.

Matthew 16:9

Do ye not yet understand] Chap. 14. 17. Having seen two such famous miracles, in feeding so many with so small provision, Do ye yet not conceive that I can do the like, if need be?

neither remember] This is the third fault objected. First, unbelief, vers. 8. Secondly, ignorance. Thirdly, forgetfulnesse, in this verse. Mark 6:52.

the five loaves of the five thousand] Wherewith the five thousand were sed.

Matthew 16:10

neither the seven loaves] Chap. 15. 34.

Matthew 16:11

How is it that ye do not understand] A question implying some kinde of admiration.

Matthew 16:12

Then understood they] They might well understand that he spake not of bread; but how could they understand that he spake of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces, seeing Christ had not said so much unto them? It seems that, being beaten off from the conceit of bodily food by our Saviours words, v. 11. and considering that he used to teach spirituall things by corporall similitudes, they conceive he must needs speak of doctrine, the food of the soul.

Matthew 16:13

When Jesus name into the ceasts] Hereby it appears, that the former discourse was by the way; yet not in the highway, but in some by-place, whither Christ had withdrawn himself ere he came to his journeys end, as Luke 9. 18.

of Cesurea Philippi] Bult by Herod the great, in honour of Tiberius, at the foot of Lebanon; whereas the other, called Cesarea Stratonis, was built by the Mediterranean sea, in honour of Octavius, Josph. lib. 15. and is mentioned in the Acts, as the former is here.

he asked his disciples] Not out of ignorance, as if he knew not what men said of him; nor out of ambition, as desiring to hear himself commended; but out of love to his disciples, lest they should think amisse of him, as others did, and to confirm them in the truth.

Whom do men say] Mark 8 27. Luke 9:18.

that I the Son of man am?] Or, that I am?

the Son of man?] Do they think me to be but an ordinary man? Or, are they offended at my lowe estate?

Matthew 16:14

Some say] They report not the base speeches of tho Pharisees concerning him to provoke him; but tell him what the better sort of men think of him: and yet these thought too meanly of him also, v. 16, 20.

John the Baptist] The Jews thought that prophets and eminent men either did rise again, or else their souls came into other bodies, and then they grew more famous then before. Hence it is that they think John was raised up again, as Herod did, chap. 14. 2. see Notes there. Yet this must be understood of those that knew not Christ till after Johns death; for others might know them both together, and, by consequence, that the one could not be the other.

some Elias] Because foretold, that he should come as a forerunner to the Messias, Malachi 4:5-6.

and others Jeremias] Because he was as eager against tho priests, and as much hated of them, as Jeremias was, and so might seem to have his spirit in him. Some think that the Jews expected Jeremiah to come again, to finde the ark which he had bidden, 2 Maccab. 2. 5. See Joseph. lib. 1. c. 17.

one of the prophets] Or, one of the other prophet. for Jeremiah was a prophet also.

Matthew 16:15

Bat whom say] Christ looks for confession of the month, as well as faith in the heart; especially of such as are to teach others.

ye] Ye apostles, who have seen and heard more then others, and ought therefore to know me better.

that am I?] He examines them not of his doctrine, but of his person: for it is very materiall to have a good opinion of our teachers. Neither was Christ an ordinary teacher, but a Saviour also, in whom they ought to believe.

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered] Not that he had any power over the rest; but being of a more forward spirit, did, in the name of the rest, make this confession of Christ.

Thou art Christ] John 6:69. Gods anointed, to be the King and Priest of his Church, chap. 1. 1.

the Son] The naturall Son of God, not a meer man, or an ordinary king and prophet: therefore the article is added to every word in the Greek. Our Saviour had called himself The Son of man, verse 13. and Peter now proclaims him the Son of God; one and the same person being both the Son of man, and the Son of God; very man, and very God. See chap. 1. 23.

of the living God] Gods usuall epithite, Genesis 16:14. Chap. 26. 63. Romans 9:26. 2 Corinthians 3:3. and 2 Corinthians 6:16. 1 Thessalonians 1:9. 1 Timothy 3:15. and 1 Timothy 4:10. Hebrews 3:12. and Hebrews 9:14. and Hebrews 10:31. and 12. 22. to distinguish him from strange gods, who were but mens devices, and neither had life of themselves, nor could give it to others.

Matthew 16:17

Blessed art thou] More happie then many others, who have not attained to the knowledge of this mystery, chap. 13. 16, 17.

Bar-Jona] The son of Jona; to distinguish him from other Simons: as Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, Mark 10:46. and Bar-jesus, the son of Jesus, Acts 13:6.

Flesh and blood] Man, John 1:13. Galatians 1:16. implying those other opinions of him, v. 14. to be but mans fancies, communicated from one to another; but this of his, to be Gods truth, revealed to him by God himself.

Matthew 16:18

Thou art Peter] John 1:42. That is, a stone. Thou hast honoured me, by confession, and I will honour thee, by making thee a pillar in my Church, Galatians 2:9. This was not his name at first; but our Saviour called him Peter when he made him an apostle, Mark 3:16. to set out the firmnesse of his faith: it was like a stone.

upon this rock] Upon the rock of thy confession that I am the Messias: or, upon my self, confessed by thee. So John 2:19; John 2:21, Christ saith in the temple, Destroy this temple, meaning his body. Or, upon thy doctrine. In this respect, the apostles are called Foundations, Ephesians 2:20. Revelation 21:14.

will I build] Christ is both the builder and upholder of his Church.

the gates of hell] That is, all the power and policie that hell can use. The gates of cities, in ancient time, being not onely parts of speciall strength, but places also of meeting for advice in matters of greatest concernment, Genesis 34:20; Genesis 34:24. Deuteronomy 3:5. Psalms 127:5.

shall not prevail against it] Either to destroy it, or any of the members of it spiritually, John 5:24. and 11. 25, 26. Revelation 20:6. 1 Corinthians 15:55. or utterly so to extirpate it, but that it shall have a constant and setled being here on earth to the worlds end, maugre all the slight and might that Satan and all his limbs or instruments shall employ to that purpose, Acts 5:39.

I will give] The authority of Gods ministers is from God, John 20:23.

unto thee] With the rest of the apostles. See John 20:21-23.

the keys] A metaphor from stewards or officers of great houses, who are betrusted with the keys. The keys of ecclesiasticall power, Acts 1:22. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

of the kingdom of heaven] To let men in, or shut men out of the Church here, and of heaven hereafter.

thou shalt binde] To binde and loose, is to retain or remit mens sins, John 20:23. This properly belongs to God; as to save, Ephesians 4:32. Colossians 3:13. Matthew 9:6. Mark 2:10. Luke 5:24. to man ministerially, as they have the embassie of reconciliation committed to them, 2 Corinthians 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:20. So they remit to those that believe, retain to those that are offended and gainsay, by the ministery of the word, and execution of Churchcensures. See Acts 2:38. and Acts 10:43. 2 Corinthians 2:16.

on earth] Here belowe among men.

shall be bound] If ye proceed rightly, according to your commission; not otherwise.

in heaven] Before God.

Matthew 16:20

that they should tell no man, &c.] Not that it was not true that Peter had confessed, v. 16. or not needfull to be known; but the time was not seasonable, till his passion were over, and he declared to be the Son of God, by his resurrection, verse 21. Chap. 17. 9. Romans 1:4. then were the apostles to publish it every where, Acts 1:8. Yet himself taught before, that he was the Christ, as time and occasion required, John 5:18. and John 8:18. and John 10:30. and John 11:27. Mark 14:61.

Matthew 16:21

to shew to his disciples] He acquaints them before with his passion, that they might not be offended at his sufferings when they came.

go] Gr. go thence.

unto Jerusalem] Christ was born in Bethlehem, a more obscure place; but he was to be crucified in Jerusalem the chief citie, that his dying for us might be more publikely known and divulged.

suffer many things] Shame, reproach, pain, &c.

of the elders, &c.] It was a name of dignitie, rather then age. Of these consisted the Jewish Sanhedrim.

Matthew 16:22

Then Peter] Peter is now suffered to fall into sinne, that he might not be proud of his former blessing, verse 17. And we see, as in a glasse, here, the weaknesse of Gods saints.

took him] Gr. took him to himself. He took him by the hand, and led him aside, as they use to do who intend to talk privately and familiarly with a friend. Or, embraced him.

to rebuke him]. Out of carnall affection, to reprove him for having no more care of his own safety.

Be it far from thee] Thou hast deserved no such shamefull death; therefore spare thy self.

this shall not be] We will not suffer thee to go to Jerusalem to be slain. Or, let not this be. Go not thou thither, that thou mayest prevent it.

Matthew 16:23

he turned] Away from Peter in a discontent, and turned his face to the other apostles, Mark 8:33.

Get thee behinde me] Lead not me, nor give me counsell; but follow me, and learn of me, as v. 24.

Satan] He calls him so, either because he had spoken like an enemy, or had shewed himself an instrument of Satan, set on work by him, to disswade Christ from suffering for our salvation. This Christ takes ill, though Peter did it ignorantly, and out of affection to him.

an offence unto me] Thou seekest to ensnare me.

the things that be of God] Although God hath revealed to thee that I am his Sonne, vers. 16, 17. yet he hath not acquainted thee with my passions, and therefore thou goest about in a fleshly manner to disswade me.

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus] Mark 8:34. Upon occasion of Peters failing, he tells them, that not onely he himself must suffer, but all his also.

unto his disciples] He called the people also to hear it, Mark 8:34. for it concerned them likewise.

will come after me] Will follow me as a disciple, Luke 14. 26. and 22. 39. or, desires to come to heaven, whither I am going.

let him deny himself] Gr. utterly deny himself. See chap. 6. 2. Let him do as those that desert a partie that they have stuck close to before, 2 Timothy 3:5. Titus 1:16. Hebrews 11:24. 2 Peter 2:1. Jude verse 4. Christ speaks after the manner of men, who think so of those who are not regardfull of their gain, ease, and other commodities and comforts of this life, and life it self. He means, that we should set aside all worldly respects, so far forth as they may impeach or hinder us in the ways of God and Christ.

take up] Not bear with grumbling, when it is laid on him, but willingly, as he that takes up a burden readily, when he is commanded.

his crosse] That portion of affliction which God hath appointed for him, and calleth him to suffer, chap. 10. 38.

and follow me] When he hath resolved to do these things, then he is fit to be one of my train. Or, it is not sufficient that he deny his own will, and suffer for me, unlesse he also imitate me in pietie, and all holy conversation, chap. 11. 29. 1 Corinthians 11:1. Ephesians 5:2. Or, let him not think much to deny himself and suffer, for I have done it before him, chap. 10. 24, 25. Or, so let him make account to come after me to glory, Luke 24:26. Acts 14:21-22. Hebrews 13:12-13.

Matthew 16:25

For whosoever, &c.] It is reason men should observe the former directions; which if they break for fear of danger, they shall die eternally: but if they expose themselves to perils for my sake, they shall be saved.

his life] Gr. his soul.

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, &c.] As therefore men seek to preserve their lives more then wealth, Job 2:4. so do ye much more your souls, which are of greater value then all the world; and, being once in hell, can never be ransomed at any rate.

his own soul] Or, his own life, as v. 25.

for his soul] Or, for his life, as before.

Matthew 16:27

For] I am to be Judge, and I will take care to reward those that stick to me, and to punish others.

the Sonne of man] I, who seem now so contemptible.

in the glory of his Father] As God, equall to the Father. Or, in the glory given him in his humane nature by the Father: like a king, as chap. 6. 29.

and] Psalms 62:12. Romans 2:9.

then] Not now. We must with patience expect satisfaction for all our wrongs at Christs second coming.

he shall reward] Save good men, and condemn bad, John 5:29.

Matthew 16:28

There be some] Mark 9:1. Luke 9. 27.

shall not taste of death] Hebrews 2:9.

coming in his kingdom] In his transfiguration, chap. 17. 1, 2. for there they saw a shadow of that glory wherein Christ will come to judge the world. Or, in his royall power, manifested in his resurrection, ascension, and sending of the holy Ghost, and propagation of the Gospel by signes ening, Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. Acts 2. 30, 32, 33. 34, 36. Or, coming in power, by execution of remarkable judgement upon that people, by the utter overthrow of their esta Matth. 24. 3, 26, 27, 34. Luke 21:6-7; Luke 21:24.