New International Reader's Version

Matthew 16:4-21 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

4. An evil and unfaithful people look for a miraculous sign. But none will be given to them except the sign of Jonah." Then Jesus left them and went away.

5. The disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake. They had forgotten to take bread.

6. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

7. The disciples talked about this among themselves. They said, "He must be saying this because we didn't bring any bread."

8. Jesus knew what they were saying. So he said, "Your faith is so small! Why are you talking to each other about having no bread?

9. Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember the five loaves for the 5,000? Don't you remember how many baskets of pieces you gathered?

10. Don't you remember the seven loaves for the 4,000? Don't you remember how many baskets of pieces you gathered?

11. How can you possibly not understand? I wasn't talking to you about bread. But watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

12. Then the disciples understood that Jesus was not telling them to watch out for the yeast used in bread. He was warning them against what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught.

13. Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. There he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14. They replied, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

15. "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ. You are the Son of the living God."

17. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! No mere man showed this to you. My Father in heaven showed it to you.

18. Here is what I tell you. You are Peter. On this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not be strong enough to destroy it.

19. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What you lock on earth will be locked in heaven. What you unlock on earth will be unlocked in heaven."

20. Then Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

21. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again.