Matthew 16:17
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 26
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
13 of 26
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
15 of 26
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
21 of 26
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 6:45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.Galatians 1:16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.Ephesians 3:5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;1 John 4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:John 1:42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.1 Peter 5:1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Historical Context
The Aramaic 'Bar-jona' (son of Jonah) identifies Peter's human lineage, contrasting with his spiritual insight from the heavenly Father. In Jewish thought, revelation came through prophets; Jesus affirms the Father directly revealed truth to Peter. This personal revelation parallels Old Testament prophetic experience while pointing to the Holy Spirit's New Covenant ministry of illumination.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God revealed Christ's identity to you personally?
- What role does divine revelation play in your faith versus human reasoning?
- How does recognizing faith as God's gift affect your attitude toward unbelievers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares Peter 'blessed' because this revelation came from 'my Father which is in heaven,' not human reasoning. Saving knowledge of Christ is divinely revealed, not humanly achieved. Reformed doctrine's emphasis on divine initiative in salvation finds clear support here—natural man cannot discover Christ's true identity through intellect alone. The Father's revelation through the Holy Spirit enables recognition of Jesus as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). This verse demolishes any notion of salvation by human wisdom or effort.