THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 16 - Verse 16

Verse 16. And Simon Peter answered, etc. Peter, expressing the views of the apostles, with characteristic forwardness, answered the question proposed to them by Jesus: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

The Christ. The Messiah, the Anointed of God. See Barnes "Mt 11:14.

The Son. That is, the Son by way of eminence, in a peculiar sense. See Barnes "Mt 1:17".

This appellation was understood as implying Divinity, Joh 10:29-36.

Of the living God. The term living, was given to the true God, to distinguish him from idols, that are dead or lifeless—blocks and stones. He is also the Source of life—temporal, spiritual, and eternal. The term living is often given to him in the Old Testament, Jos 3:10; 1 Sa 17:26,36; Jer 10:9,10

etc. In this noble confession, Peter expressed the full belief of himself and his brethren that he was the long-expected Messiah. Other men have very different opinions of him, but they were satisfied, and were not ashamed to confess it.

{n} "and said" Ps 2:7; Mt 14:33; Joh 1:49; Ac 9:20; Heb 1:2,5