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.

MATTHEW 16:17KJV
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Matthew 16:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 16:17 mean?

Matthew 16:17 shows Jesus welcoming Simon Peter’s answer as knowledge given by God. Jesus calls Simon blessed because his recognition of Jesus came from the Father in heaven, rather than from human beings.

Jesus speaks after Simon has called him “the Christ, the Son of the living God” in verse 16. “Flesh and blood” is a way of speaking about human beings. Jesus contrasts that human source with “my Father which is in heaven.”

The Greek behind Matthew 16:17

  • “Blessed” — μακάριος (makarios): The word carries the sense of being fortunate or favored. Jesus uses it to describe Simon’s privileged place in receiving what the Father has made known.
  • “hath … revealed” — ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō): The word means to uncover or make known. The image suggests something brought into view, rather than something Simon simply worked out for himself.
  • “Barjona” — Βαριωνᾶ (Bariōna): The name means “son of Jonah.” Jesus addresses Simon by his personal name and identifies him through his father.

Why Matthew 16:17 matters

  • Jesus identifies the source of Simon’s answer, not merely its correctness. The contrast between “flesh and blood” and “my Father” places the emphasis on who made the answer known.
  • Simon’s answer has a special place in the conversation. Jesus addresses him directly as “Simon Barjona,” then speaks to him again as Peter in verse 18.
  • The exchange begins with a question about Jesus’ identity. In verse 15, Jesus asks the disciples who they say he is; verse 17 responds to Simon’s answer.

Where else these words appear

“hath” Greek G601 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
  • John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
  • Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

“Blessed” Greek G3107 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
  • Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

“Simon” Greek G4613 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
  • John 18:15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

“thou” Greek G1488 · used in 89 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
  • John 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.