Matthew 16:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Shim`on Bar-Yochanan," Yeshua said to him, "how blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven.

Berean Standard Bible:

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

American Standard Version:

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} Jesus^{G2424} answered^{G611} and said^{G2036} unto him^{G846}, Blessed^{G3107} art thou^{G1488}, Simon^{G4613} Barjona^{G920}: for^{G3754} flesh^{G4561} and^{G2532} blood^{G129} hath^{G601} not^{G3756} revealed^{G601} it unto thee^{G4671}, but^{G235} my^{G3450} Father^{G3962} which^{G3588} is in^{G1722} heaven^{G3772}.

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Commentary for Matthew 16:17

Matthew 16:17 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the New Testament, encapsulating key themes of divine revelation and the establishment of the early Church. This verse is part of a dialogue between Jesus and the apostle Peter, following Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus' response in verse 17 is significant for several reasons:

Firstly, Jesus pronounces a blessing upon Simon, whom He addresses as "Simon Barjona" (Bar-Jona, meaning "son of Jonah"), a nod to Peter's father's name, Jonah, and possibly an allusion to Peter's new identity and role in God's plan. The blessing "Blessed art thou" (or "you are blessed") indicates that Peter is in a favored position before God, having received divine favor.

Secondly, Jesus emphasizes the source of Peter's knowledge concerning Jesus' identity. The phrase "flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee" underscores that Peter's understanding did not come from human teaching or natural insight but through divine revelation. This highlights the importance of spiritual insight in understanding Jesus' mission and the nature of God's kingdom.

Thirdly, Jesus attributes this revelation to God the Father in heaven, emphasizing the divine origin of Peter's knowledge and the role of God's active revelation in the spiritual understanding of Jesus' followers. This verse thus affirms the doctrine of divine revelation and the belief that God communicates truth to His people beyond human capability.

Historically, this verse is situated in the context of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where he was preparing his disciples for their future roles as leaders in the early Christian movement. It is also a foundational text for the later development of the doctrine of the papacy within Roman Catholic tradition, as it is interpreted by some as the moment Jesus designated Peter as the rock on which the Church would be built and the holder of the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:18-19).

In summary, Matthew 16:17 is a verse rich with theological significance, emphasizing the role of divine revelation in understanding Jesus' identity as the Messiah and the future structure of the Church, with Peter being affirmed in his role as a foundational leader among the disciples. It speaks to the heart of Christian belief in the importance of God's guidance in spiritual matters and the transformative power of divine truth in the lives of believers.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3107
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μακάριος
   Transliteration: makários
   Pronunciation: mak-ar'-ee-os
   Description: a prolonged form of the poetical (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off:-- blessed, happy(X -ier).
   
7. Strong's Number: G1488
   There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἶ
   Transliteration: eî
   Pronunciation: i
   Description: second person singular present of εἰμί; thou art:--art, be.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4613
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Σίμων
   Transliteration: Símōn
   Pronunciation: see'-mone
   Description: of Hebrew origin (שִׁמְעוֹן); Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites:--Simon. Compare Συμεών.
   
9. Strong's Number: G920
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Βαριωνᾶς
   Transliteration: Bariōnâs
   Pronunciation: bar-ee-oo-nas'
   Description: of Chaldee origin (בַּר and יוֹנָה); son of Jonas (or Jonah); Bar-jonas, an Israelite:--Bar-jona.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4561
    There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σάρξ
    Transliteration: sárx
    Pronunciation: sarx
    Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
    
12. Strong's Number: G129
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἷμα
    Transliteration: haîma
    Pronunciation: hah'-ee-mah
    Description: of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.
    
13. Strong's Number: G601
    There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποκαλύπτω
    Transliteration: apokalýptō
    Pronunciation: ap-ok-al-oop'-to
    Description: from ἀπό and καλύπτω; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
    
16. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
17. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3962
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατήρ
    Transliteration: patḗr
    Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
    
19. Strong's Number: G3588
    There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὁ
    Transliteration: ho
    Pronunciation: to
    Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
    
20. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
21. Strong's Number: G3772
    There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐρανός
    Transliteration: ouranós
    Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
    Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.