Matthew 16:13-20

Peter's Confession of the Messiah

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,^[a] He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ^[b]

14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 "But you," He asked them, "who do you say that I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

17 And Jesus responded, "Simon son of Jonah, ^[c] you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven.

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound ^[d] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed ^[e] in heaven."

20 And He gave the disciples orders to tell no one that He was^[f] the Messiah.

Footnotes

• [a]. A town north of Galilee at the base of Mount Hermon
• [b]. Other mss read that I, the Son of Man, am
• [c]. Or son of John
• [d]. Peter (Gk Petros) = a specific stone or rock
• [e]. Rock (Gk petra) = a rocky crag or bedrock
• [f]. Lit gates
• [g]. Or earth will be bound
• [h]. Or earth will be loosed
• [i]. Other mss add Jesus