Counting the Cost of Discipleship — May 13 [Description]Overview of Matthew 16:13-28In this pivotal section of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus challenges His disciples to declare who He truly is. Peter boldly confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus affirms that this revelation came from God. He then declares that on this “rock” of faith, He will build His church, and gives Peter the keys to the kingdom.But right after this high moment, Jesus begins to teach openly about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection—a concept that confuses and upsets the disciples. When Peter rebukes Jesus for saying He’ll suffer, Jesus sharply corrects him: “Get behind me, Satan!” showing that following Jesus means aligning with God’s plan, not human comfort.Jesus then lays out the cost of discipleship: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me. He emphasizes that gaining the world is worthless if you lose your soul and promises that He will return in glory to reward each person.This passage is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry—moving from identity revelation to mission and sacrifice, challenging all who follow Him to count the cost. 365D 133

Bible discovery 365D 133

Matthew 16:13-28 365D 133.1

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 365D 133.2

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 365D 133.3

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 365D 133.4

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 365D 133.5

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 365D 133.6

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not ^{[g]be victorious} prevail against it. 365D 133.7

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth ^{[h]Or will have been bound . . . will have been loosed} will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 365D 133.8

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. 365D 133.9

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 365D 133.10

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ^{[i]Lit. Merciful to You (May God be merciful)} “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 365D 133.11

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are ^{[j]a stumbling block} an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 365D 133.12

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 365D 133.13

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 365D 133.14

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 365D 133.15

27 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. 365D 133.16

28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” 365D 133.17