Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:17

Verse 17 17.Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona. As this is life eternal, to know the only true God, and him whom he hath sent, Jesus Christ, (John 17:3,) Christ justly pronounces him to be blessed who has honestly made such a confession. This was not spoken in a peculiar manner to Peter alone, but our Lord’s purpose was, to show in what the only happiness of the whole world consists. That every one may approach him with greater courage, we must first learn that all are by nature miserable and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:18

Verse 18 18.And I say to thee. By these words Christ declares how highly he is delighted with the confession of Peter, since he bestows upon it so large a reward. For, though he had already given to his disciple, Simon, the name of Peter, (Matthew 10:2; John 1:42,) and had, out of his undeserved goodness, appointed him to be an apostle, yet these gifts, though freely bestowed, (439) are here ascribed to faith as if they had been a reward, which we not unfrequently find in Scripture. Peter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13

Coasts ( μέρη ); parts, as Matthew 15:21 , etc. Caesarea Philippi. The addition to the name Caesarea is intended to commemorate its restorer and beautifier, the tetrarch Philip, and to distinguish it from the city of the same name on the coast between Joppa and Carmel ( Acts 8:40 , etc.). Our Lord had landed at Bethsaida, where the Jordan enters the Lake of Gennesaret, turned northwards, and, following the course of the river, had now arrived in the vicinity of one of its chief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13

Opinions concerning Jesus. It seems strange that our Lord should want to know men's opinions about himself. Two explanations may be given. 1 . These disciples mixed more freely with the people than Jesus could, and were more likely to know the common talk. So they could give him information which would materially help his work. 2 . Our Lord's question may only have been meant to introduce a conversation, through which he might teach those disciples the higher truth concerning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13-17

The great confession. Jesus had now reached a crisis in his ministry. Away from the scenes of his earlier labours, at the beautiful Roman colony by the foot of Mount Hermon, close to the famous altar of Pan, where the Jordan springs from the mountain side, he suddenly called upon his disciples to give a definite expression of their thoughts concerning himself. I. THE MOMENTOUS QUESTION . This was preceded by a less important inquiry—as to the various opinions of the world about... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13-19

Caesarea Philippi. I. THE GREAT CONFESSION . 1 . The Lord ' s question. It was asked amid scenes of singular beauty; there was much to delight the eye: the gushing source of Jordan, the terraced heights on which the city was built, the majestic mass of Hermon with its crown of snow. But these fair sights were associated with sad thoughts of idolatry and sin. Dan was near at hand—the seat of the old worship of the golden calf. The city itself was more than half heathen; its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13-19

Peter's confession. This renewed retirement of our Lord is best accounted for by his need of quiet. What was now to be done? Another Passover was coming round. To proclaim himself at Jerusalem was indeed certain death; and yet was not the hour for taking this step at last come? Filled with inward conflict, our Lord journeys on and on until he finds himself at the very edge of the land of Israel But when his own mind is made up he at once communicates with the disciples, because it was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13-20

The climax of recognition of Christ ' s true nature declared in the great confession of Peter. ( Mark 8:27-30 ; Luke 9:18-21 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:13-20

The true confession. "Who's who?" This is, generally speaking, a question of very little consequence. When the "Son of man" is concerned, it is of infinite moment. Everlasting issues turn upon the manner in which it is answered. From this important text we learn— I. THAT THE FAITH WHICH IS HUMAN IS UNCERTAIN . 1 . It may take colour from the distraction of guilt. 2 . It may be influenced by the spirit of the world. 3 . It may be distorted by the vanity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:14

John the Baptist. This was the opinion of Herod Antipas ( Matthew 14:1 , Matthew 14:2 ), who fancied that Christ was animated by the spirit of John the Baptist, or was actually that personage' revived; though it was noticed by others that John did no miracle ( John 10:41 ), and lived a life in contrast to that of Christ ( Matthew 11:18 , Matthew 11:19 ). Elias ; Elijah, who was taken up to heaven without dying, and was announced by Malachi ( Malachi 4:5 ) as destined to return... read more

Group of Brands