Matthew 13:53-18:35 Summary

Jesus taught in Nazareth but was rejected (13). When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus he thought John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had been raised from the dead. While Jesus was grieving John’s death, a crowd arrived; Jesus multiplied loaves and fish to feed them. After time alone in prayer Jesus walked on water and invited Peter to do likewise; when Peter sank, Jesus saved him, calmed the storm, and joined his disciples in a boat. Amazed, they worshiped him as the Son of God (14). Jesus then argued with the Pharisees about eating customs. Jesus taught that it’s what comes out of mouths–words–rather than what goes in–food–that makes a person unclean. A Gentile woman taught Jesus about inclusivity and Jesus healed her daughter. He healed others and multiplied food to feed the multitudes (15). The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded that Jesus perform a sign to prove his authority; Jesus refused and rebuked them. He asked his disciples about his identity and Peter said, “You are the Messiah.” He accepted the title and honoured Peter, but instructed the disciples to tell no one. When Jesus predicted his own death Peter objected, but Jesus rebuked him (16). Peter and two others accompanied Jesus up a mountain and they had a vision: Jesus was transfigured, and a voice declared, “This is my dearly loved son.” Back down the mountain Jesus exorcised a demon and told his disciples they would need great faith. He again predicted his death before arriving in Capernaum where he paid a religious tax but made it clear to his disciples that he wasn’t obligated to pay it (17). Jesus responded to a question about greatness by saying that one becomes great in the Kingdom of Heaven through humility. He taught his disciples about conflict and forgiveness, suggesting that they use God’s forgiveness as a model for their treatment of others (18).