Matthew 16:13-23
Key Verse: 16:21
 

1. Read verses 13-14. Where is the region of Caesarea Philippi? What was their journey's destination? What was the objective question Jesus asked his disciples? Who did most people think Jesus was?

2. Read verses 15-17. What subjective question did Jesus ask? Why is this question more difficult to answer? What was Peter's answer? What does this answer mean? How could he know who Jesus is? How can we?

3. Read verse 18. How did Jesus regard Peter's confession? What is the rock on which Jesus builds his church? What does he mean by "the gates of Hades will not overcome it?

4. Read verses 19-20. What did Jesus mean by saying to Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven"? "By whatever you bind ...loose ... on earth will be bound... loosed... in heaven"?

5. Read verses 21-23. What did Jesus begin to teach his disciples? Why ? Why did Peter rebuke Jesus? Why did Jesus rebuke him so severely? What does it mean that Jesus must go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and rise to life?