Font Size
Throughout these chapters Jesus continues to meet with rejection and opposition from Israel. The stage is set at the beginning of this section when the people of Nazareth, Jesus' hometown, conclude that he is no more than the son of Joseph and thus refuse to believe in him (13:53-58).
Matthew indicates the reasons for this rejection in three passages. The opposition of Herod to John the Baptist in 14:1-12 points toward Israel’s rejection of Jesus (cf. 17:12-13); in the case of both John and Jesus, the God-appointed herald of the kingdom is persecuted unto death because he boldly reveals the lawlessness of his hearers (14:4; cf. 15:12; 21:45-46). In 15:1-20 the religious authorities reject Jesus because they want nothing to do with the will of God that Jesus proclaims; they have long ago nullified the word of God by insisting on human tradition instead. In 16:1-4 the religious leaders ask for a sign, thus requiring that Jesus submit to their sinful expectations and demands.
In response to Israel’s sinful rejection, Jesus repeatedly withdraws from them (14:13; 15:21; 16:4). Nevertheless, he graciously continues to bring wholeness to the people, healing and feeding them (14:13-21, 34-36; 15:29-39).
In contrast to Israel, the disciples follow and believe in Jesus. Jesus therefore continues to instruct his disciples (14:28-33; 15:10-20; 16:5-12), finally drawing from them the confession that he is the Christ (16:13-20).
The whole of 4:17-16:20 comes to a climax with Peter’s confession in 16:13-20. The ultimate issue throughout all these chapters is the identity of Jesus. In vv.13, 15 Jesus raises explicitly the question of his identity, and two answers are given. The answer of people in general is that he is a prophet. Although this answer might seem positive, it is entirely inadequate. It is not enough to see Jesus as a “good teacher,” or even as “a proclaimer of the way of God.”
The only appropriate answer is that which Peter, speaking on behalf of all the disciples, offers: “The Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus declares that he will build his church upon this confession and that all the forces of evil will be unable to stand before the mighty power of the church that is built upon such a foundation (16:17-19). Nevertheless, the disciples were not yet to declare openly that Jesus is the Christ (v.20). Although the disciples recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, they do not yet know what it means for him to be the Messiah. Therefore it is only after they have been instructed regarding the necessity of his suffering and death that Jesus commands them to make disciples (28:19).