Matthew 16 - Easy To Read Version

¹ The Pharisees {\cf2\super [214]} and Sadducees {\cf2\super [215]} came to Jesus. They wanted to test Jesus. So they asked Jesus to show them a miracle {\cf2\super [216]} to prove that he was from God.

² Jesus answered, “When you people see the sunset, you know what the weather will be. If the sky is red, then you say we will have good weather.

³ And in the morning you watch the sunrise. If the sky is dark and red, then you say that it will be a rainy day. These things are signs of the weather. You see these signs in the sky and you know what they mean. In the same way, you see the things that are happening now. These things are also signs. But you don’t know the meaning of these signs.

⁴ Evil and sinful people are the kind of people that want a miracle {\cf2\super [217]} for a sign (proof). But those people will have no sign—only the sign of Jonah. {\cf2\super [218]} ” Then Jesus left that place and went away.

⁵ Jesus and his followers went across the lake (Lake Galilee). But the followers forgot to bring bread.

⁶ Jesus said to the followers, “Be careful! Guard against the yeast {\cf2\super [219]} of the Pharisees {\cf2\super [220]} and the Sadducees. {\cf2\super [221]} ”

⁷ The followers discussed the meaning of this. They said, “Did Jesus say this because we forgot to bring bread?”

⁸ Jesus knew that the followers were talking about this. So Jesus asked them, “Why are you talking about not having bread? Your faith is small.

⁹ You still don’t understand? Remember the five loaves of bread that fed the 5,000 people? And remember that you filled many baskets \{with bread after the people finished eating\}?

¹⁰ And remember the seven loaves of bread that fed the 4,000 people? Remember that you filled many baskets \{with bread after the people finished eating\}?

¹¹ So I was not talking to you about bread. Why don’t you understand that? I am telling you to be careful and guard against the yeast {\cf2\super [222]} of the Pharisees {\cf2\super [223]} and the Sadducees. {\cf2\super [224]} ”

¹² Then the followers understood what Jesus meant. Jesus was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread. Jesus was telling them to guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

¹³ Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus said to his followers, “I am the Son of Man. {\cf2\super [225]} Who do the people say I am?”

¹⁴ The followers answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Other people say you are Elijah. {\cf2\super [226]} And some people say that you are Jeremiah {\cf2\super [227]} or one of the prophets. {\cf2\super [228]} ”

¹⁵ Then Jesus said to his followers, “And who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, {\cf2\super [229]} the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am.

¹⁸ So I tell you, you are Peter. {\cf2\super [230]} And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death {\cf2\super [231]} will not be able to defeat my church.

¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God’s judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God’s forgiveness.” {\cf2\super [232]}

²⁰ Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. {\cf2\super [233]}

²¹ From that time Jesus began telling his followers that he must go to Jerusalem. Jesus explained that the older Jewish leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law would make him suffer many things. And Jesus told his followers that he must be killed. Then, on the third day, he would be raised from death.

²² Peter spoke to Jesus alone. Peter began to criticize Jesus. Peter said, “God save you from those things, Lord! Those things will never happen to you!”

²³ Then Jesus said to Peter, “Go away from me, Satan {\cf2\super [234]} ! You are not helping me! You don’t care about the things of God. You only care about things that people think are important.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his followers, “If any person wants to follow me, he must say ‘No’ to the things he wants. That person must accept the cross (suffering) that is given to him, and he must follow me.

²⁵ The person that wants to save his life will lose it. And every person that gives his life for me will save it.

²⁶ It is worth nothing for a person to have the whole world, if he loses his soul. A person could never pay enough to buy back his soul.

²⁷ The Son of Man {\cf2\super [235]} will come again with his Father’s glory and with his angels. At that time, the Son of Man will reward each person for the things he has done.

²⁸ I tell you the truth. There are some people standing here that will see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom before they die.”