Matthew 16:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

NIV: Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

NASB: Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.

CSB: Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

NLT: Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

KJV: Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

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

Christian teachers in the modern world exhaust significant time, energy, and resources to declare the gospel. They loudly and persuasively tell all who will hear that Jesus is, in fact, the Christ and the Son of the living God. Peter and the other apostles will spend the remainder of their lives after the resurrection of Jesus travelling far and wide to declare that Jesus is the way of salvation for all who believe.

In this moment, however, Jesus forbids them from telling anyone directly that He is the Christ. Jesus is not unsure whether He will fulfill His mission as the Savior. Nor is Jesus is trying to keep people from knowing who He is. He has publicly displayed all the promised signs of the Messiah and taught as the Messiah. Many have acknowledged His identity (Matthew 9:27; 12:23; 15:22).

So why should the disciples be told not to broadcast far and wide exactly who Jesus is? Jesus is sensitive to the weaknesses of the people. If enough became convinced that He was the Messiah—before His prophesied death and resurrection (John 12:32–34)—they would attempt to start a revolution against Rome, to make Him king of Israel (John 6:15). That would be based on a misunderstanding about what the Messiah had come to do on earth. He does not want that.

For now, Jesus seems most interested in allowing Israel's religious leaders and the people to decide for themselves who they will say that He is, based on His displays of God's power and His teaching. The floodgates of evangelism will open when the time is right (Acts 1:8).

Matthew 16:13–20 describes a conversation between Jesus and the disciples about His identity. It takes place about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee in the district of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asks who the people say He is and then asks who the disciples say He is. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus says this declaration of faith will be the rock on which He will build His church.

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.