Matthew 16:1-20
Lesson 32
Lesson 32
Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."
In this lesson:
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees (16:1-4).
Peter confesses Jesus (16:13-20).
This lesson concludes the "Proclamation," the public announcement that the Messiah had arrived. In the last twenty-seven lessons, Matthew told us the words and miracles of Jesus.
Elias challenges the pagan priests of Baal.
By American illustrator Jerry Harston (1943-2009)
By American illustrator Jerry Harston (1943-2009)
Study Tip:
Click on the links to learn more.
Click on the links to learn more.
Who was -
Elias -
Elias (Greek for Elijah) is perhaps the most famous of Israel's prophets. No other is mentioned more often in the New Testament. Elias (Elijah) was born in Tishbeh, Gilead, and was devoutly religious. He preached against the growing paganism under Israel's King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. Under Ahab, Israel turned away from God (1 Kings 19:10) in favor of the false god Baal and his wife Ashtoreth. Baalism was a cruel and vicious religion introduced to Israel by Jezebel. Followers of Baal took part in sex orgies and sacrificed infants, placing their remains in jars. Elias called for Israel to repent and brought the priests of Baal to justice (I Kings 18:40). God gave Elias the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14; 2:8). He raised the dead, called fire down from heaven and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11). Centuries later, he stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). The Old Testament promised that Elias would return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46, and 2 Kings 1-2.
Jeremias -
The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, also called Jeremy. He is the author of two Old Testament books, "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" and "The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah." From the village of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), three miles northeast of Jerusalem, God "ordained" Jeremias a prophet before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). Jeremias lived in the sixth and seventh centuries BC and was known as the "weeping prophet." His story is one of perseverance, as he was persecuted by his fellow Jews and even his own family (Jeremiah 12:6) for prophesying that unless Israel renounced idolatry, it would fall into the hands of their enemies. Four successive Jewish kings ignored his warnings to repent. Jeremias was imprisoned (Jeremiah 37:15), and King Jehoiakim tried several times to kill him (Jeremiah 36:26). As Jeremias foretold, God punished Israel for its sins. The Babylonians defeated the Israelites and destroyed Jerusalem. Many Jews, including King Jehoiakim, were taken to Babylon as slaves. Jeremias eluded the Babylonians and fled to Egypt. He correctly predicted that Israel's captivity would last seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11) and that Babylon would be destroyed. You can learn more in "The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah."
Elias -
Elias (Greek for Elijah) is perhaps the most famous of Israel's prophets. No other is mentioned more often in the New Testament. Elias (Elijah) was born in Tishbeh, Gilead, and was devoutly religious. He preached against the growing paganism under Israel's King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. Under Ahab, Israel turned away from God (1 Kings 19:10) in favor of the false god Baal and his wife Ashtoreth. Baalism was a cruel and vicious religion introduced to Israel by Jezebel. Followers of Baal took part in sex orgies and sacrificed infants, placing their remains in jars. Elias called for Israel to repent and brought the priests of Baal to justice (I Kings 18:40). God gave Elias the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14; 2:8). He raised the dead, called fire down from heaven and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11). Centuries later, he stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). The Old Testament promised that Elias would return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46, and 2 Kings 1-2.
Jeremias -
The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, also called Jeremy. He is the author of two Old Testament books, "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" and "The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah." From the village of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), three miles northeast of Jerusalem, God "ordained" Jeremias a prophet before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). Jeremias lived in the sixth and seventh centuries BC and was known as the "weeping prophet." His story is one of perseverance, as he was persecuted by his fellow Jews and even his own family (Jeremiah 12:6) for prophesying that unless Israel renounced idolatry, it would fall into the hands of their enemies. Four successive Jewish kings ignored his warnings to repent. Jeremias was imprisoned (Jeremiah 37:15), and King Jehoiakim tried several times to kill him (Jeremiah 36:26). As Jeremias foretold, God punished Israel for its sins. The Babylonians defeated the Israelites and destroyed Jerusalem. Many Jews, including King Jehoiakim, were taken to Babylon as slaves. Jeremias eluded the Babylonians and fled to Egypt. He correctly predicted that Israel's captivity would last seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11) and that Babylon would be destroyed. You can learn more in "The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah."