And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just saying Peter's belief is great; he's highlighting that this isn't a deduction from human wisdom, but a direct gift from God. The phrase "flesh and blood" emphasizes that no amount of human reasoning or natural ability could grasp Jesus' true identity; it's supernatural insight.
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just asked his disciples what people are saying about him, and they report varied opinions. Peter, speaking for all of them, boldly declares Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus pronounces Peter blessed, emphasizing that this profound truth could only have come from divine revelation, not human reasoning.
How do you really know who Jesus is? Is it something you figured out on your own, or something else entirely?
Peter's confession, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' wasn't a deduction from clever arguments or brilliant insight. Jesus makes it clear that this profound truth didn't come from:
Instead, Jesus states directly: 'my Father who is in heaven' revealed it. This points to a direct, divine impartation of truth. True knowledge of Jesus as the Christ isn't earned; it's graciously given by God Himself.
Jesus calls Peter 'blessed' right after his confession. What makes this knowledge so special, and who else can experience this blessing?
Jesus' declaration, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!' isn't just a casual compliment. The word 'blessed' (makarios in Greek) speaks of a deep, profound happiness and a state of being favored.
This blessedness flows directly from the source of his knowledge:
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This divine insight means Peter (and all who share it) is in a right relationship with God, experiencing a happiness and fulfillment that human achievements can never provide.
Understand the original words
sarx kai haima · Greek Noun Phrase
A phrase used in Scripture to denote the limitations of human perception, agency, and nature, often contrasted with divine revelation or authority. It highlights that human intellect alone is insufficient to apprehend spiritual truth.
This declaration by Jesus occurs during his public ministry, a time of intense scrutiny and varied public opinion about his identity. Peter's confession, and Jesus' affirmation of it, marks a turning point towards Jesus openly revealing his mission and identity as the Christ, the Son of God.
c. 2 BC - 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Public Life
Jesus conducted his public ministry across Galilee and Judea, gathering disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His identity was a central question, with many holding differing opinions.
c. 29-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Teaching at Caesarea Philippi
Jesus, journeying with his disciples, stopped in the region of Caesarea Philippi and directly asked them about his identity and what people were saying.
c. 29-30 AD
Peter's Confession
Simon Peter, speaking for the disciples, declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. This was a pivotal moment in the disciples' understanding of Jesus.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Crucifixion
Following this confession, Jesus began to more openly speak of his impending suffering, death, and resurrection, events that would ultimately vindicate Peter's confession.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus' resurrection from the dead powerfully confirmed his divine identity and the truth of Peter's confession, empowering the disciples through the Holy Spirit.
c. 30-64 AD
Early Church Development
The early church, built on the foundation of Christ's identity as confessed by Peter, spread rapidly. The apostles, including Peter, were instrumental in establishing and guiding the church.
This passage echoes Matthew 16:17 by explaining that deep spiritual truths, like the identity of Christ, are not known through human wisdom but are revealed by God's Spirit.
John 6:44This verse directly supports the idea that divine revelation is necessary for someone to come to Jesus, reinforcing that Peter's confession was not due to his own effort but to the Father's drawing.
Galatians 1:16Paul uses the similar phrase 'flesh and blood' to emphasize that his apostleship and understanding of the gospel came directly from God, not from human consultation, paralleling Jesus' point to Peter.
Ephesians 2:8This verse states that salvation is a gift from God, not by human effort, aligning with Jesus' declaration that Peter's recognition of Him as the Christ was a divine revelation, not a human achievement.
1 John 5:1This passage highlights that believing Jesus is the Christ is a result of God's work in us, mirroring how Peter's confession was a divine impartation rather than a product of human reasoning.
vincentMatthew 16:17: "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
Blessed (μακάριος)See on Matthew 5:3.
calvinMatthew 16:13-19: "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"
- And when Jesus came to the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some [say,] John the Baptist; and other, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15. He saith to them, But who do you say that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answering said, Thou art the Chri…
Jesus isn't just saying Peter's belief is great; he's highlighting that this isn't a deduction from human wisdom, but a direct gift from God. The phrase "flesh and blood" emphasizes that no amount of human reasoning or natural ability could grasp Jesus' true identity; it's supernatural insight.
Jesus has just asked his disciples what people are saying about him, and they report varied opinions. Peter, speaking for all of them, boldly declares Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus pronounces Peter blessed, emphasizing that this profound truth could only have come from divine revelation, not human reasoning.
Jesus has just asked his disciples what people are saying about him, and they report varied opinions. Peter, speaking for all of them, boldly declares Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus pronounces Peter blessed, emphasizing that this profound truth could only have come from divine revelation, not human reasoning.
"And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." — Jesus isn't just saying Peter's belief is great; he's highlighting that this isn't a deduction from human wisdom, but a direct gift from God. The phrase "flesh and blood" emphasizes that no amount of…
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Last reviewed October 2026