Matthew 16:13 – 20

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Jesus and His disciples had landed on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, they then went north until they were on the shore near the city of Caesarea Philippi. This is not the city of Caesarea which is on the coast of the Mediterranean Ocean. This city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee was named to honor both Caesar and Herod Phillip by Phillip, thus the double name.

Jesus then asks His disciples a question regarding the opinion of the people of who Jesus identity was. His public ministry had been in existence for enough time for the people to have their own opinions as to who He was.

Jesus already knows what man thinks in his heart (John 2:24 - 25[ But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. ]) he did not ask the question for his own benefit. This question was asked to bring into the apostle's thoughts the difference of the world's opinion and the knowledge the apostles had been given. It would not be long before they would be His messengers to the world as He would be going back to be with His father and rule from heaven.

Every person named by the disciples were dead, thus the only way Jesus was one of those was through the belief in those dying returning later as another individual, which is called transmigration of souls or reincarnation, we know it does not exist but some cultures have believed that for many centuries.

Jesus had been teaching these men since they were selected to be part of the twelve the truth of His being, He is asking this of them to bring the truth into the public, it would be read in the inspired word of God for centuries and it is this answer which is the basis of the Gospel.

The question was asked to all of the apostles but not all of them would speak at once, and Peter was generally known as the spokesman of the group. If they did not agree with him they would speak up. The answer covered the full being of which Jesus claimed to be. The Christ means “anointed” and it means that Jesus was the one who God recognizes as the ruler of the kingdom. “The Son” is equal to the phrase “only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Spiritually God has many “sons” but Jesus is the only son actually who is an offspring of God, being a living Son of God means He is not the son of a lifeless idol.

We remember Peter's first name is Simon, BarJonah means the son of Jonah, it is to differentiate him from the other Simon who is also an apostle. Jesus is giving a blessing to Peter because he was given this belief through the Holy Spirit and not through human sources.

Jesus is clear it is the statement Peter makes regarding the identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God, He is the Christ, the Savior, the Messiah. This is the rock of which the church is built on.

Peter is part of the foundation of the church as are all of the apostles. (Ephesians 2:20 [having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,])

The gates of Hades could not prevail against the church because even at Jesus death on the cross, he went through those gates as all do when they die, He could not be kept there, He was resurrected from the state of death and ascended into heaven where he rules over the church. (1 Corinthians 15:25 [For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.])

Peter and the other apostles are given the power and authority over the church as their teaching of the requirements of the Gospel. All of the apostles were included with Peter in having this authority. (John 20:21 - 23[So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” ]) The Holy Spirit was sent to the apostles to guide them into all truth. (John 16:13[However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ]) The apostles would make no mistake in their spreading of the Gospel because they were led and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

There is no distinction made between the church and the kingdom, but from these verses it indicates they are the same and in existence.

(Matthew 26:29[But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”];

Romans 14:17[for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.];

Colossians 1:13[He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,];

4:11[and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.];

1 Thessalonians 2:12[ that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.];

Hebrews 12:28[Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.];

Revelation 1:9[ I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.]).

Jesus public ministry was coming to an end with his crucifixion and resurrection. He did not want to release this fundamental truth into the world prematurely. Him being raised from the dead would prove His great claim to being the Son of God and the Messiah to the world.