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1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to test16:1. Since the test was in an attempt to discredit Jesus, this could also be translated “came to trap Jesus.” Jesus, demanding that he show them a sign from heaven.
2Jesus replied, “In the evening you say, ‘It’ll be a fine day tomorrow, because the sky is red,’ 3while in the morning you say, ‘It’ll be bad weather today, because the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to predict the weather by what the sky looks like, but you can’t recognize the signs of the times! 4An evil and adulterous generation are the ones who look for a miraculous sign, and no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” He left them and went away.
5Having crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples realized they’d forgotten to bring bread with them. 6“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” Jesus told them.
7The disciples started arguing among themselves. “He’s saying that16:7. Implied. because we didn’t bring any bread,” they concluded. 8Jesus knew what they were saying and said, “You have so little trust in me! Why are you arguing among yourselves about not having any bread? 9Haven’t you worked it out yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves that fed five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you collect? 10And what about the seven loaves that fed the four thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you collect? 11Haven’t you worked it out yet that I wasn’t talking to you about bread? Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” 12Then they realized that he wasn’t warning them to watch out for bread yeast, but about the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13When Jesus arrived in the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of man is?”
14“Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets,” they replied.
15“But what about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”
16“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Simon Peter replied.
17“You are truly blessed, Simon son of John,” Jesus told him. “For this wasn’t revealed to you by human flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18I also tell you that you are Peter,16:18. Peter means “a stone,” in contrast to the word for solid rock also used in this verse. and on this rock I will build my church and the powers of death16:18. Literally, “gates of Hades.” won’t overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you ban on earth will have been banned in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth will have been allowed in heaven.” 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer terribly at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and religious teachers; and that he would be killed, but he would rise again on the third day.
22Peter took Jesus aside and started to tell him he shouldn’t talk like that. “God forbid, Lord, that this would ever happen to you!” he said.
23Jesus turned to Peter, and told him, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a trap to trip me up,16:23. Literally, a “stumbling block” or a “snare.” because you’re thinking in a human way, and not as God thinks!”
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If you want to be a follower of mine, you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. 25For if you want to save your life you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake you will save it. 26What benefit is it for you to gain the whole world, yet lose your life? What would you give in exchange for your life? 27For the Son of man is going to come in his Father’s glory, together with his angels. Then he will give everyone what they deserve according to what they’ve done. 28I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who won’t die16:28. Literally, “taste death.” before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”