Peter’s Confession

16:13 When15 Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi,16 he asked his disciples,17 “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 16:14 They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,18 and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16:16 Simon Peter answered,19 “You are the Christ,20 the Son of the living God.” 16:17 And Jesus answered him,21 “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood22 did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven! 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades23 will not overpower it. 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” 16:20 Then he instructed his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.24