Matthew 16:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 16:13-20

We have here a private conference which Christ had with his disciples concerning himself. It was in the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, the utmost borders of the land of Canaan northward; there in that remote corner, perhaps, there was less flocking after him than in other places, which gave him leisure for this private conversation with his disciples. Note, When ministers are abridged in their public work, they should endeavour to do the more in their own families. Christ is here catechising his... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 16:13-16

16:13-16 When Jesus had come into the districts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" They said, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "And you--who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God." Here we have the story of another withdrawal which Jesus made. The end was coming very near and Jesus needed all the time alone... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 16:13-16

So then at Caesarea Philippi Jesus determined to demand a verdict from his disciples. He must know before he set out from Jerusalem and the Cross if anyone had even dimly grasped who and what he was. He did not ask the question directly; he led up to it. He began by asking what people were saying about him, and who they took him to be. Some said that he was John the Baptist. Herod Antipas was not the only man who felt that John the Baptist was so great a figure that it might well be that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:13

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi ,.... The towns that were in the neighbourhood of this city; which city went by several names before, as Leshem, Joshua 19:47 which being taken by the Danites, they called it Dan; hence we read of דקיסריון דן , "Dan, which is Caesarea" F2 Targum Hieros. in Gen. xiv. 17. . It was also called Paneas, from the name of the fountain of Jordan, by which it was situated; and which Pliny says F3 Hist. l. 5. c. 15, 18. gave the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:13

Caesarea Philippi - A city, in the tribe of Naphtali, near to Mount Libanus, in the province of Iturea. Its ancient name was Dan, Genesis 14:14 ; afterwards it was called Lais, Judges 18:7 . But Philip the tetrarch, having rebuilt and beautified it, gave it the name of Caesarea, in honor of Tiberius Caesar, the reigning emperor: but to distinguish it from another Caesarea, which was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and to perpetuate the fame of him who rebuilt it, it was called... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:13

Verse 13 Matthew 16:13.And when Jesus came to the coasts of Cesarea Philippi. Mark says that this conversation took place during the journey. Luke says that it took place while he was praying, and while there were none in company with him but his disciples. Matthew is not so exact in mentioning the time. All the three unquestionably relate the same narrative; and it is possible that Christ may have stopped at a certain place during that journey to pray, and that afterwards he may have put the... 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

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