In this chapter both the Pharisees and Sadducees come tempting the Lord. These two sects of the Jews normally had no dealings with each other, but their hatred of Jesus unites them here, and they ask Him to give them a sign from heaven. It was only unbelief and disobedience that prompted them to ask for a sign, for what more wonderful token could God give to man than the presence of His Son on earth. What abundance of signs there had been, manifesting the power of God by the miracles and teachings of the lowly Jesus! But on account of the hardness of their hearts, these men had closed their eyes to all this wonderful display.
In their professing to honor God, they had shown the shallowness of their profession. The Lord calls them a wicked generation and tells them that no sign should be given to them but that of the prophet Jonas. For as Jonah had been three days and nights in the belly of the great fish (the figure of death), so Christ would be lost to Israel in the grave — to be given back to them in a future day.
“When it is evening,” He says, “ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” They were unable to see what their unbelief would bring upon them, and at this point the Lord leaves them and departs.
The Lord then tells His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. At first they think He is referring to their not having brought along bread, but He goes on to show that He is referring to the doctrine of these people. In Luke’s gospel He adds that the great sin of the Pharisees and Sadducees was hypocrisy.
Christ’s Person
After this the Lord goes away to Caesarea Philippi which was in the extreme northern borders of the land. Far from Jerusalem, and from the influences of its religious leaders, the Lord speaks for the first time of that which was dearest to His heart — the church. What wonderful acts of power and grace He had displayed along His pathway that led up to this point! The earth had never witnessed such great acts before. Now He asks His disciples, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” They reply, “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Their answer shows that even though some would give Him a place among those honored of old, they had not discerned who He really was, nor the purpose of His mission. Various opinions were formed, but it ended there.
Next the Lord asks the disciples themselves, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter’s answer sets forth that blessed truth which is the foundation of man’s blessing and of God’s glory. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus is not only the true Messiah, the King of Israel, but His glory goes far beyond that. He is the Son of the living God, in whom is the eternal power of life, the One who can impart life to those who are dead in sins. This was indeed a glorious confession Peter had made. The Lord then told him that he had been blessed by God the Father in heaven with this revelation, for such knowledge could only come from Him. The natural man could not discern that which was divine.
Further Meditation
1. What warnings did the religious leaders receive?
2. Why does it matter so much who Jesus Christ is?
3. For more help on who Jesus is consider reading Jesus Is God: the Deity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.