Bible Verse Lookup
Mt 16,13-20
Chapter 16
They Ask Him for a Sign From Heaven
The Pharisees and Sadducees appeared, seeking to test Jesus, and asked him for a sign from heaven.
Jesus answered:
[“When evening comes, you say: ‘It will be a good day, for the sky is red.’
And in the morning, you say: ‘Stormy weather today, for the sky in the east is red.’ If you know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, why can’t you interpret the signs of the times?]
An evil and unbelieving people asked for a sign, but no sign will be given them except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
Blindness of the Disciples
When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread.
Jesus told them:
“Pay attention and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
But the disciples said to each other: ‘He means the bread we didn’t bring.’
Aware of this, Jesus said to them:
“You of little faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves about having no bread?
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand people, and how many baskets you took up?
Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many wicker baskets did you take up?
How can you not understand that I was not talking about bread when I told you: ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees’?”
Then they realized he wasn’t talking about yeast for bread but about the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Peter’s Confession
Then Jesus went to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples:
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They said:
“For some of them you are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus asked them:
“But who do you say I am?”
Peter responded:
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied:
“It is fortunate for you, Simon Barjona, because it is not flesh and blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
And now I say to you: You are Peter, and on this Rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.”
Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
First Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection
From that day, Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, that he would suffer many things at the hands of the Jewish authorities, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he would be killed and be raised on the third day.
Then Peter pulled him aside and started to reproach him:
“Never, Lord! No, this must never happen to you!”
But he turned and said to Peter:
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path. You are thinking not as God does, but as people do.”
Conditions for Being a Disciple
Then Jesus told his disciples:
“If you want to follow me, deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow me.
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it.
What does a person gain by winning the whole world if he destroys his soul? Or what can someone offer in exchange for his life?
Know that the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels, and he will reward each person according to his deeds.
Truly, I tell you, some here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Chapter 17
The transfiguration of Jesus
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John with him, and led them up a tall mountain where they were alone.
Jesus’ appearance changed before them: his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as snow.
Then suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.
Peter spoke up and said to Jesus:
“Master, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Peter was still speaking when a bright cloud covered them with its shadow, and a voice from the cloud said:
“This is my Son, the Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”
Hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground full of fear.
But Jesus came, touched them, and said:
“Stand up, do not be afraid!”
When they looked up, they saw no one else except Jesus.
And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.
The disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus answered, “So it is: first comes Elijah; and he will restore all things.
But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him; and they treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”
Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.
He Heals an Epileptic Child
When they reached the crowd, a man approached Jesus, knelt before him and said”
Sir, have mercy on my son, who is epileptic and suffers greatly. He has often fallen into the fire and sometimes into the water.
I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.
Jesus replied:
“O you people, faithless and misguided! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.”
And Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy, and the boy was instantly healed.
Later, the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked:
“Why couldn’t we drive out the spirit?”
Jesus said to them:
“Because you have little faith. I tell you: if only you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would obey you. Nothing would be impossible for you.”
[[But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.]]”
Second Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection
While Jesus was in Galilee with the Twelve, he said to them:
“The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men
and they will kill him. But he will rise on the third day.”
The Twelve were deeply grieved.
On the Temple Tax
When they returned to Capernaum, the temple tax collectors approached Peter and asked him:
“Does your master pay the temple tax?”
He answered:
“Yes.”
Peter then entered the house, and immediately Jesus asked him:
“What do you think, Simon? Who pays taxes or tribute to the kings of the earth: their sons or strangers and aliens?”
Peter replied:
“Strangers and aliens.”
And Jesus told him:
“The sons, then, are tax-free.
But, to avoid offending these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and open the mouth of the first fish you catch. You will find a coin inside. Take the coin and give it to them—do it for both you and me.”
Chapter 18
Who Is the Most Important
At that time, the disciples approached Jesus and asked him:
“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a small child, placed the child in the middle of the disciples
and said: “I assure you that unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,
and whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me.”
Radicalism in the Face of Sin
If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble and fall, it would be better for him to be thrown into the depths of the sea with a great millstone around his neck.
Woe to the world because of so many scandals! Scandals are unavoidable, but woe to the one who causes a scandal.
If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands and two feet.
And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to be cast into fiery Gehenna with two eyes.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Make sure you do not underestimate any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.
[[For the Son of Man has come to save what was lost.]]
What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go to look for the stray one?
And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
The same applies to your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven does not want even one of these little ones to perish.
On Forgiveness
If your brother has sinned against you, go and confront him privately, and if he listens to you, you have restored your brother.
If he doesn’t listen to you, bring one or two others with you, so that the matter can be decided based on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the gathered Church. But if he does not listen to the Church, then consider him a pagan or a tax collector.
I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will also bind; and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will also unbind.
Similarly, I tell you, if two of you agree on anything you ask for, it will be granted to you by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three gather in my name, I am there among them.
Then Peter asked him:
“Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister’s offenses? Seven times?”
Jesus answered:
“No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Parable About Forgiveness
This story sheds light on the kingdom of Heaven: A king decided to settle accounts with his servants.
One of the first was someone who owed him ten thousand pieces of gold.
Since the man couldn’t repay the debt, the king ordered that he be sold into slavery along with his wife, children, and all his possessions as payment.
The servant knelt before the king and said, ‘Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.’
The king took pity on him and not only freed him but also waived his debt.
When this servant left the king’s presence, he encountered one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pieces of silver. He seized him by the throat and almost choked him, shouting, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
His fellow servant threw himself at his feet and begged him, ‘Give me time, and I will pay everything.’
But the other disagreed and put him in prison until he paid off all his debt.
Now the king’s servants saw what had happened. They were very upset, so they went and reported everything to their lord.
Then the lord summoned his servant and said, ‘Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed me when you begged me to do so.
Weren’t you supposed to have pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?
The lord was now angry. He handed the wicked servant over to be punished until he paid the entire debt.
Jesus added:
“So will my heavenly Father do with you unless you sincerely forgive your brothers and sisters.”
Chapter 19
On Divorce
When Jesus finished these sayings, he left Galilee and reached the border of Judea across the Jordan River.
Large crowds gathered around him, and he healed their sick there as well.
Some Pharisees came to him. They aimed to test him and asked:
“Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?”
Jesus replied:
“Have you not read that in the beginning, the Creator made them male and female?
And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
So, they are no longer two, but one body. Let no one separate what God has joined.”
They asked him:
“Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?”
Jesus replied:
“Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so in the beginning.
Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another, commits adultery.
The disciples said:
“If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.”
Jesus said to them:
“Not everyone can accept what you have just said, but only those to whom that is granted.
Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others. But some have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it.”
He Blesses Some Children
Then little children were brought to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded those who brought them.
Jesus then said:
“Let the children be! Don’t hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble like these children.”
Jesus laid his hands on them and then went away.
The Rich Young Man
That was when a young man approached him and asked:
“Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?”
Jesus answered:
“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”
The young man asked:
“Which commandments?”
Jesus answered:
“Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;
honor your father and mother. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man asked him:
“I have kept all these commandments. What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered:
“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.”
Hearing this, the young man left feeling sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I say to you: it will be difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Hearing this, the disciples were astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and replied:
“For human beings, it is impossible, but for God, all things are possible.”
Then Peter spoke up and said:
“You see, we have given up everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?”
Jesus answered:
“You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
For those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children, or property because of my name, they will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.”
Chapter 20
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
This story sheds light on the kingdom of heaven: A landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
He agreed to pay each worker the standard daily wage and sent them to his vineyard.
He went out again around nine in the morning, and seeing others idling in the town square,
he said to them, ‘You also go to my vineyard, and I will pay you what is right.’
So they went. The owner went out at midday and again at three in the afternoon, making the same offer both times.
Again, he went out at the last working hour—the eleventh—and saw others standing around. So he asked them, ‘Why do you stand idle all day?’
They replied, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ The master said, ‘Go and work in my vineyard.’
When evening arrived, the vineyard owner told his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last and ending with the first.’
Those who had arrived to work at the eleventh hour came forward and each received a silver coin.
When it was the first person’s turn, they thought they would get more.
But they also received one silver coin. Upon receiving it, they began complaining about the landowner.
They said, ‘These last ones hardly worked an hour; yet you have treated them the same as us who have endured the heavy work of the day and the heat.’
The owner said to one of them, ‘Friend, I have not been unjust to you. Did we not agree on one silver coin per day?
So, take what is yours and leave. I want to give the last the same as I give to you.
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what’s mine? Why are you jealous when I am kind?
So it will be: the last will be first, the first will be last.”
Third Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection
When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he pulled the twelve disciples aside and said to them:
“See, we are heading to Jerusalem. There, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and they will condemn him to death.
They will hand him over to the foreigners, who will mock him, scourge him, and crucify him. But he will be raised to life on the third day.”
Against Ambition
Then the mother of James and John approached Jesus with her sons and knelt down to request a favor.
Jesus asked her:
“What do you want?”
She replied:
“Here are my two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your left in your kingdom.”
Jesus told the brothers:
“You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
They replied:
“We can.”
Jesus replied:
“You will indeed drink from my cup, but sitting at my right or left is not for me to give. That will be for those for whom my Father has prepared it.”
The other ten heard all of this and became angry with the two brothers.
Then Jesus called them to him and said: “You know that the rulers of nations act like tyrants and the powerful oppress them.
It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community.
And if you want to be first among everyone, make yourself a servant to all.
Be like the Son of Man who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to redeem many.”
Heals Two Blind Men
As they left Jericho, a large crowd followed them along the way.
Two blind men sat by the roadside, and when they heard Jesus was passing by, they started to call out:
“Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The people told them to be quiet, but they shouted even louder:
“[Lord,] Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped, called out to them, and asked:
“What do you want me to do for you?”
They said:
“LORD, open our eyes.”
Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes. Immediately, they regained their sight and began to follow Jesus.
Commentaries
They Ask Him for a Sign From Heaven – Blindness of the Disciples.
This time, the Pharisees are accompanied by the Sadducees, who demand a sign from heaven as proof of the legitimacy of the one claiming to be the Messiah. Faced with the leaders’ inability to recognize the kingdom of God in his works, Jesus ignores them and shifts his focus from now until the end of chapter 18 to his disciples, building the community. They must move from concern to trust, from material understanding to a more spiritual one, and always remain alert.
Peter’s Confession.
This passage is dense and richly detailed. It describes an event as understood and experienced by the community. Jesus asks what people think about him. The question that was open during Jesus’ time remains just as open today. The answer can come from the perspective of the people, based on their human appreciation of this historical figure, or from God’s point of view, through revelation. Simon states that Jesus is the expected Messiah, and Jesus confirms this by saying that his confession comes from a revelation from the Father. That is why Peter (the new name Jesus gives to Simon) will be a key “rock” of Jesus’ community.
First Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection – Conditions for Being a Disciple.
Peter, who recently confessed his faith in Jesus, now rejects the idea of the Messiah’s suffering and death. Jesus responds sharply, calling him Satan (23), because he is acting as a stumbling block. Jesus rebukes Peter, who insists on fitting Jesus into one of the traditional images of the Messiah. Christian freedom and happiness are found only in the joyful acceptance of God’s will, which invites us to listen to his Son and follow him along the paths and ways that he traveled (25f).
Transfiguration of Jesus.
The disciples feel discouraged after hearing Jesus’ announcement of his passion and understanding the consequences of following him. The transfiguration serves as a message of encouragement because it reveals Jesus’ glory and points to his victory on the cross. In this account, we see a full view of who Jesus is. Through him, God’s glory is shown; he is truly the Messiah Israel has waited for and is also the Son of God. This presentation is meant for the disciples who are with him and, in the evangelist’s view, for everyone reading the Gospel. Its goal is to strengthen the disciples’ faith in Jesus by helping them see his victory over death; thus, they can face all the challenges of being his followers.
He Heals an Epileptic Child.
The purpose of this story is to teach about the power of faith. It was important to emphasize this, especially given the lack of faith among the disciples, described as “men of little faith” (6:30; 8:26). Matthew criticizes the disciples for their doubt in the power they received from Jesus, and in this sense, this message remains relevant: it urges us not to doubt the saving power of the Good News.
Second Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection.
See the commentary on Mk 9:30-32.
On the Temple Tax.
The question about the tax came from a custom that had become widespread among the Jews—even those scattered throughout the Roman Empire—of paying an annual tax for the Temple. The amount was relatively small: one or two drachmas, a Greek coin worth about two days’ wages for a worker. However, the obligation to pay this tax could not be enforced by the Law. The analogy, however, has another, deeper level. The story clearly shows that Jesus was not required to pay this tax. This obligation applied to subjects, not to the king’s children; hence the analogy Jesus used.
Who Is the Most Important? – Radicalism in the Face of Sin.
This chapter presents the fourth of Jesus’ five major discourses. It is mainly directed at the disciples and offers guidance for a divided community. Tensions between different groups and issues of coexistence are evident. In Matthew’s Gospel, the word “little” does not only refer to children. Little ones include all humble and simple people who, through their straightforward way of life, have chosen to follow Jesus with complete radicalism. The Christian community, especially its leaders, must be careful not to underestimate the importance and contributions of these individuals.
Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Perhaps it would be better to focus on the shepherd who goes out to find the lost sheep. Jesus’ understanding of his Father was not that of an exclusive God. Leaving the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost, carrying it on his shoulders, rejoicing when he finds it, and sharing his happiness with others—was this not the clearest way of showing that God is truly a Father? Loving the lost person does not mean stopping love for the others but ensuring they are loved if they also become lost. Matthew applies the parable to the seduced and deceived disciples who have strayed from Jesus’ teachings. A life in danger needs someone to value it and prevent its end. God never gives up on anyone and always waits.
On Forgiveness.
Peace must prevail in the community, either because there are no offenses or because reconciliation is pursued (14). If a community member refuses reconciliation, they will be like a stranger, and those in charge have the right to exclude them as long as they maintain that attitude (cf. 1 Cor 5:5f). The message about forgiveness and reconciliation is reinforced with an instruction on community prayer. The praying community is a special place of the Lord’s presence (cf. 28:20) as long as the conditions and attitudes that Jesus highlighted in the Lord’s Prayer are present.
Parable about Forgiveness.
Jesus responds to Peter’s “arithmetic” question (21) in the same way, moving from a specific number to a larger, undefined one. He clarifies this with a parable that highlights stark contrasts. Revenge was a sacred law in the ancient East, and forgiveness was seen as humiliating, but for Christians, the opposite of revenge is unlimited forgiveness. God offers his grace of forgiveness in an unexpected way, but he withdraws it from narrow-hearted people who refuse to forgive their neighbors. Anyone who has experienced the Father’s mercy cannot go around trying to limit forgiveness and acceptance of their brothers and sisters.
On Divorce.
During Jesus’ time, the debate about divorce centered around two main viewpoints: one, very lenient, allowed divorce for any reason; the other, strict, held that the exception in Deuteronomy applied only to adultery. The Pharisees presented this as a trick question. Jesus shifts from a positive law—a concession rather than a command—to the original order established by God (Gn 1:27; 2:24; 5:2). The disciples are surprised by the demand for an unbreakable bond, and the Pharisees no longer intervene. Jesus does not reverse his statement but goes further by suggesting another acceptable option in his community: voluntary celibacy (12). Christian celibacy can only be understood in light of the mystery of the kingdom. That is why Jesus adds, “Let anyone accept this who can” (12).
He Blesses Some Children.
Matthew has already shown children as a model for the disciples. The story contrasts Jesus’ attitude with the disciples’ displeasure. Jesus uses this symbolic gesture to highlight that those who become like children—who receive the kingdom of heaven simply and humbly as a gift from God—are the ones who have precedence.
The Rich Young Man.
Jesus emphasizes a key idea: wealth can be a major obstacle to entering the kingdom. This Gospel passage is probably one of the most influential in Christian history. Giving up material possessions when they hinder accepting the kingdom and following Jesus is not just advice; it is a essential requirement. You cannot serve both God and money.
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.
This parable concludes the previous lesson on the reward for those who leave everything to follow Jesus. The young man’s attachment to his riches highlights a contrast with God’s generosity, which gives more than what is owed. God’s mercy is not opposed to human justice; rather, it surpasses it entirely through love. Grace loves beyond the limits of human justice.
Third Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection.
The third announcement of the passion and resurrection is much more specific and detailed, and the Gospel is therefore entirely focused on Jesus’ Passover and his victory over death.
Against Ambition.
The theme of who is the greatest and who is the least continues, this time focusing on power. The episode takes place among the Twelve and shows how badly the apostles have misunderstood the Master’s teachings. Jesus moves from specific facts to a general principle: what is essential in the kingdom of God is not having a place of honor, but following him. Therefore, the community cannot exercise authority and power by copying the authoritarian and tyrannical models of today’s rulers. Instead, it must exercise them through love, service, and dedication to others.
Heals Two Blind Men.
There is a certain irony in this story. Those who are physically blind are the ones who see most clearly who Jesus is. The two blind men represent the disciples who recognize Jesus as Messiah and Lord but have not yet fully understood all His teachings. There are two of them, like the sons of Zebedee (20:20-23), but their request is very different from theirs. They do not ask for an important position but instead ask Him to open their eyes so they may understand and accept the path He proposes. The change that occurs in the two blind men is the exact change that must happen in the disciples who approach Jesus in faith. Their encounter with Jesus opens their eyes, giving them new light to understand and follow the path of discipleship in service and dedication.