Pentecost Season · Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
Matthew 16:13-20
You Are Peter, and On This Rock
August 23, 2026

Overview & Insights
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks who people say he is, and Peter confesses him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus declares Peter blessed, names him the rock on which the church is built, and gives him the keys of the kingdom.
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 16:13-20 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of Peter's confession and the keys of the kingdom.
Matthew 16: You Are the Christ Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.
Matthew 16 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.
Matthew 16:13 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on Peter's confession in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 16 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Matthew 16.
The Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre links the keys given to Peter to the key of the house of David in Isaiah.
Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer for the Sunday's readings.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Gospel of Matthew, its structure and themes.
Gospel of Matthew 14-28 Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the second half of Matthew, including Peter's confession.
Matthew 16:13 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the confession at Caesarea Philippi.
The Church Fathers
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