Matthew 16:13-28; Matthew 17:1-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14 They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

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

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

17 Jesus replied, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you.

18 You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free."

20 Then he strictly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

21 From that time on Jesus began to inform his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would have to suffer a lot because of the leaders, chief priests, and scribes. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be brought back to life.

22 Peter took him aside and objected to this. He said, "Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you!"

23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get out of my way, Satan! You are tempting me to sin. You aren't thinking the way God thinks but the way humans think."

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.

25 Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them.

26 What good will it do for people to win the whole world and lose their lives? Or what will a person give in exchange for life?

27 The Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory. Then he will pay back each person based on what that person has done.

28 I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John (the brother of James) and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.

2 Jesus' appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light.

3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it's good that we're here. If you want, I'll put up three tents here--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

5 He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!"

6 The disciples were terrified when they heard this and fell facedown on the ground.

7 But Jesus touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid!"

8 As they raised their heads, they saw no one but Jesus.

9 On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen. Wait until the Son of Man has been brought back to life."

10 So the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

11 Jesus answered, "Elijah is coming and will put everything in order again.

12 Actually, I can guarantee that Elijah has already come. Yet, people treated him as they pleased because they didn't recognize him. In the same way they're going to make the Son of Man suffer."

13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking about John the Baptizer.

14 When they came to a crowd, a man came up to Jesus, knelt in front of him,

15 and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son. He suffers from seizures. Often he falls into fire or water.

16 I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't cure him."

17 Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and corrupt generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me!"

18 Jesus ordered the demon to come out of the boy. At that moment the boy was cured.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, "Why couldn't we force the demon out of the boy?"

20 He told them, "Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."