Matthew 16
The Pharisees seek a sign from Him. He gave them a sign again, the sign of Jonas and left them. He had given them the same sign before, but it had no effect on them. When a man knowingly refuses truth, the enemy takes over and such a person will walk in paths that lead him on to his destruction. What a sad thing for the Lord to have to depart and leave them; for them the end would be eternal woe.
Jesus told the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Since they had forgotten to take bread before leaving for Magdala, they thought that He was reminding of this. But the doctrine of the Pharisees was the "leaven" that He was warning them about.
Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" Some said He was John the Baptist, others Elias, and others Jeremiah. Some of these answers showed hatred, others indifference. Jesus asked, "But whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Then Jesus said to Him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [a stone), and upon this rock [Christ) I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give 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."
Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
Having the keys was a personal privilege for Peter. As an apostle, he opened the door of the kingdom of heaven to the Jews (Acts 2:37-4037Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:37‑40)) and to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-4834Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:34‑48)). Peter could bind and loose on earth, but not in heaven. Now that the apostles are gone, the Church has that privilege and responsibility.
Having been rejected, Jesus was no longer to be spoken of as Christ (Messiah); He was now the Son of man.
The Church belongs to heaven, but is being formed on earth. The kingdom of heaven belongs to earth, though governed by heaven.
When Jesus spoke of His death, Peter rebuked Him. Peter would not have the Lord leave, but rather set up His kingdom. He did not know the Father's will. The Lord rebuked Peter, saying, "Get thee behind Me, Satan," for not savoring the things that be of God-rejection and salvation for man through a perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
The Lord marked out the path for one who was in the kingdom. He said: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?... For the 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."