Matthew 16:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

NIV: For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

NASB: For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

CSB: For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done.

NLT: For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

KJV: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

NKJV: For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Jesus has posed a stark choice: A person can either take up the cross of self-denial and follow Jesus or live selfishly for his or her own gain. In the form of two questions, Jesus has insisted that those who live for themselves may gain the whole world but still lose their souls (John 3:36; 14:6).

Now Jesus explains why. No matter what a person gains for themselves in earthly life, the judgment of God will still come in the end (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus declares that He, the Son of Man, will come with His angels in the glory of His Father. He is describing what is sometimes called in the Bible the "Day of the Lord."

When that day comes, Christ will repay each person according to what he or she has done. The clear implication is that those who have lived for themselves alone will be repaid with judgment. Those who have taken up the cross of self-denial to follow Jesus will receive a reward.

The difference between one result and the other is not sinless perfection (1 John 1:9–10). Eternal life and eternal death are only separated by the choice whether to follow Jesus and identify with Him in His death (John 3:16–18). This basic concept is central to what we often call the gospel, or the "good news." Those who trust Jesus in this way, refusing their own agenda and trusting in His work as the Messiah, in His death and resurrection as the way to salvation, will be rewarded.

Matthew 16:21–28 describes the disciples' reaction when Jesus reveals He must be killed by religious leaders and raised on the third day. Peter, recently praised for His faith (Matthew 16:17), chastises Jesus for saying such things. Jesus responds with a devastating rebuke of His own, saying "Get behind me, Satan!" Peter's insistence that Messiah could not be killed is based in his own assumptions, not truth. Christ warns that those who follow Him must be willing to give up all else in the world, and to take on hardship and persecution, as needed. He adds that some standing there will not die before seeing Him coming in His kingdom; this prediction is fulfilled in the next passage (Matthew 17:1–2).

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.