📖 Matthew — Chapter 16 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Matthew 16:1 The RPharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto them, RWhen it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. RO ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Matthew 16:4 A Rwicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Matthew 16:5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, RTake heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 16:7 And Rthey reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Matthew 16:8 Which Rwhen Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Matthew 16:9 Do Rye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Matthew 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, Rbut of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus Rcame into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art RJohn the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, RBut whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, RThou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, RBlessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That Rthou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:19 And I will Rgive unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:20 Then Rcharged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth Rbegan Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and Rbegan to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, RGet thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, Rand take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:26 For Rwhat is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:27 For Rthe Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, RThere be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 16:1–12 — A demanded sign and dangerous teaching
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Religious leaders ask for a heavenly sign, and Jesus confronts their failure to discern. He warns the disciples about leaven and clarifies that the warning concerns the leaders’ doctrine, not bread.
Key Truth: Examine teaching carefully rather than misunderstanding the warning.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the ____ and of the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6)
Find it in Matthew 16:6 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no ____ .” (Matthew 16:7)
Find it in Matthew 16:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ understood they how that he bade them not beware of …” (Matthew 16:12)
Find it in Matthew 16:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 16:13–20 — Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus asks what people say and what the disciples say concerning him. Peter confesses him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Jesus speaks of revelation, his church, and entrusted authority.
Key Truth: Let understanding of Jesus be anchored in the Father’s revelation.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the ____ of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Find it in Matthew 16:16 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my ____ which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)
Find it in Matthew 16:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ charged he his disciples that they should tell no man …” (Matthew 16:20)
Find it in Matthew 16:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 16:21–28 — The suffering Messiah calls for cross-bearing disciples
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus begins teaching about suffering, death, and resurrection. He rebukes Peter’s resistance and calls followers to deny themselves, take up the cross, and value the soul above gaining the world.
Key Truth: Follow Jesus rather than demanding that he follow your ambitions.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “From that ____ forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that …” (Matthew 16:21)
Find it in Matthew 16:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For whosoever will save his ____ shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for …” (Matthew 16:25)
Find it in Matthew 16:25 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… There be some standing here, which shall not taste of ____ , till they see the Son of man coming in …” (Matthew 16:28)
Find it in Matthew 16:28 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 53:5 — The suffering servant passage helps readers consider the Messiah’s costly mission.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What ambition needs to yield to the call to follow Jesus?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 16:1–12 (A demanded sign and dangerous teaching) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 16:13–20 (Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 16:21–28 (The suffering Messiah calls for cross-bearing disciples) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What is the leaven warning actually about?
5. What response accompanies the call to follow Jesus?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation