Matthew 16:17
What does Matthew 16:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:17 means
Jesus pronounces a blessing upon Simon, identifying him as "Bar-Jonah" (son of Jonah), and affirming that his confession was not a product of human insight but a direct "revelation" from "my Father who is in heaven." This confirmation highlights the divine origin of Peter's truth, asserting that God Himself had unveiled this spiritual truth to Peter. Jesus emphasizes that true understanding of His identity originates from God, not from human reason or observation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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
King James Version · 1611And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus made answer and said to him, A blessing on you, Simon Bar-jonah: because this knowledge has not come to you from flesh and blood, but from my Father in heaven.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jesus answering said to him, `Happy art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal <FI>it<Fi> to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus answering said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed [it] to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens.
Context
This verse immediately validates Peter's confession, establishing its divine origin. Jesus' blessing and explanation set the stage for His ensuing declarations about Peter's new identity and the foundation of the church. This confirmation of divine revelation is essential for understanding the authority Jesus bestows in the following verses and the nature of true faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:42
He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).
- 1 Peter 5:1
The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
- Ephesians 3:18
may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
- John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.
- Galatians 1:11
For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
- Hebrews 2:14
Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
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