“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16
Near a great rock at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples who they believed He was. Peter answered by revelation, and Jesus promised to build His Church on that rock.
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” They answered that some said John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then He asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus told Peter he was blessed, because flesh and blood had not revealed this to him, but His Father in heaven. He said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” and promised Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. From then on, Jesus began to teach that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed and rise again the third day. When Peter protested, Jesus corrected him and taught him to set his mind on the things of God.
Who’s who
Jesus Christ: the Son of the living God, who builds His Church
Simon Peter: who testified by revelation
The disciples: who reported what others said
Heavenly Father: who revealed the truth to Peter
Where and when
The region of Caesarea Philippi, near the base of Mount Hermon and a source of the Jordan River.
Watch for the Savior
Watch how Jesus moves from what others say to what Peter knows, and how Peter came to know it.
Eight stops from the great rock at Caesarea Philippi to the keys of the kingdom. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
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The story, plainly
Four scenes: the question, Peter’s answer, the keys and the road ahead. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
Matthew 16:13“the Meaning: region; borders. of Cæsarea Philippi”
Matthew 16:14“some, Meaning: Elijah.”
Matthew 16:14“and others, Meaning: Jeremiah.”
Matthew 16:17“Simon Meaning: son of Jonah.”
Matthew 16:18“shall not Meaning: win; overpower. against it”
Matthew 16:23“thou Meaning: care about; set your mind on. not the things that be of God”
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Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders, Church resources or outside sources. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The cliff, the road, the group, the heart, the beam, the rock, the house, the gate and the keys. Matthew 16:13–23
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Where are you?
Many voices, seeking my own witness, standing firm, or ready to testify. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
Your choice is saved only on this device.
Try it
Whom say ye?
Tap each tile to see how people answered Jesus’s question. Then answer it yourself.
Others’ answers matter less than yours.
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Their world, their words
A little background on Caesarea Philippi, keys and the names Peter and rock helps the story come alive. Outside sources are labeled.
Church resource · Student manual
Where it happened
Caesarea Philippi “is located near the base of Mount Hermon, is one of the sources of the Jordan River.”2
Living water, solid rock.
Church resource · Student manual
Iron keys
“In the first century A.D., keys were typically made of iron and were bulkier, more expensive, and less common than modern house keys.”2
A sign of trust.
Church resource · Student manual
Six days later
Peter, James and John “received the promised keys on the Mount of Transfiguration.”2
The promise was kept.
Scripture · Matthew 16
Right after
When Jesus spoke of His coming death, Peter protested. Jesus gently but firmly corrected him: “thou savourest not the things that be of God.”1
A small stone and a great mass of rock. Elder McConkie taught that the rock is revelation.4
What the text does not say
Jesus doesn’t ask Peter to repeat what others say, or praise him for being clever. He says Peter’s knowledge came from the Father. And He doesn’t say Peter is finished growing. Moments later, Peter still had more to learn.1
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Look to Him
He asks the question that matters most, and His Father answers it by revelation. He builds His Church on that rock.
“A testimony is a gift from God and is available to all of His children.”
Peter’s Testimony and the Rock, ready to print $3.99
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
Peter’s Testimony and the Rock is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for April 5–11, 2027 (Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The words are in Matthew 16:13–23; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
