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New Testament · Matthew 16:13-20

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is and who they themselves say he is. Simon Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus says this knowledge was revealed by his Father in heaven, blesses Simon, gives him the name Peter, and speaks of building his church on this rock. Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven and authority concerning binding and loosing. He then orders the disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Christ.

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Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Jesus teaches his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi, and Simon Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter Declares Who Jesus Is

Matthew 16:13-20

Simon Peter speaks to Jesus and the disciples as he confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Disciples Listen to Peter

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus asking his disciples who people say the Son of Man is in the region of Caesarea Philippi.

Jesus Asks the Disciples a Question

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus listening to the disciples as they report that people have suggested he is John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

The Disciples Share What People Say

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus blesses Simon Peter after Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, while the disciples listen; the Father in heaven is represented through the passage’s words or restrained heavenly light.

Jesus Blesses Simon

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus and Peter together in a teaching scene, with a rock and a modest symbolic suggestion of a church structure, representing Matthew 16:18 without interpreting “this rock.”

Jesus Speaks of Building His Church

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus presents Peter with the keys of the kingdom of heaven while speaking about authority in Matthew 16:19.

The Keys of the Kingdom

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus faces the disciples and instructs them not to tell anyone that he is the Christ, based on Matthew 16:20.

Jesus Gives the Disciples an Instruction

Matthew 16:13-20

Scripture reference

Matthew 16:13-20

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

A thoughtful question