Jesus Blesses Simon

Matthew 16:13-20

The Big Idea

Peter boldly said who Jesus is. Jesus blessed him and taught that this knowledge came from the Father in heaven. We can listen carefully to Jesus and take his words seriously.

The Bible Story

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks his disciples who people say the Son of Man is. They report several names, but Jesus then asks who they say he is. Simon Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus blesses Simon son of Jonah and says that flesh and blood did not reveal this to him; his Father in heaven did. Jesus calls Simon Peter and speaks of building his church on this rock. He also gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven and speaks about binding and loosing. Finally, Jesus commands the disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Christ.

Themes

God’s revelation Jesus’ authority Jesus’ identity as the Christ and Son of the living God Peter’s confession The disciples’ instructed silence

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Jesus addresses Simon son of Jonah with a warm, respectful expression and blesses him after Peter’s confession. The composition may place Peter slightly forward while the other disciples listen. Represent the Father in heaven through the passage’s words or a restrained heavenly light, not as a generic elderly man or an invented human figure.

Talk together

Talk about it

What did Peter say about Jesus?
What did Jesus say revealed this truth to Peter?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page for a Bible lesson on Jesus’ identity, Peter’s confession, and God’s revelation. Invite children to notice the question-and-answer pattern in Matthew 16:13-20. Keep the focus on the passage, and avoid adding explanations about how the revelation happened or later church history.

Source note