21 Warns

16:1-4

Not to take heed from leaven of Pharisees

16:1-4 And (then) approaching the Pharisees and Sadducees came tempting him (Jesus). They him asked him to show them a sign out of heaven. But he answering said to them. "When evening comes on you say “It will be fair weather for the heaven (sky) is red. And in the morning (you say).Today will be stormy weather for the heaven

(sky) is overcast. You know how to discern the sky. But you cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation looks for a sign and a sign will not be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” And leaving them he went away.

Again the above paragraph appears to fall into two sub-sections with the second section a development and comment on the first one. This may be a method Matthew used to set up a situation and then show Jesus interpreting it in the company of his disciples. The method of interpretation is in itself a teaching tool.

21 Recalls

16:5-12

Not to take heed from leaven of Pharisees

16:5-12 On coming to the other side (of the sea) the disciples found they had forgotten to take loaves of bread. Jesus said to them. “Beware and take heed from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They (the disciples) reasoned amongst themselves saying. “We have not brought any bread (at all).” Knowing what they were discussing Jesus said “Why do you reason amongst yourselves people of little-faith because you do not have loaves Do you not yet understand nor remember the five loaves feeding

the five thousand. And how many baskets did you pick up? Neither (do you remember) the seven loaves feeding the four thousand. And how many baskets (there) did you take? How do you not understand that I am not talking about loaves of bread. Rather watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not saying to watch out for the leaven of the loaves but rather be wary of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

23 Builds

16:13-20

. .on this rock I will build of me the church

16:13-19 (Then) coming into the district of Caesare’s Philippi, he questioned his disciples saying. “Whom do men say the Son of man is?” And they said “Some think John the Baptist and others Elias and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He says to them “But you. Who do you say me to be?” And answering Simon Peter said “You are the Christ the Son of the God of the living.” (c/f Source of Life) Answering him Jesus said “Blessed are you Simon Barjonas because it

was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in the heavens. And I say to you. You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. The gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in the heavens. And whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in the heavens”. Then he warned the disciples that they should not tell anyone that he is the Christ.