Matthew 16

Which worship songs are based on Matthew 16?

  1. You Are I Am — Sanctus Real (2025) Matthew 16:13-16

    The first verse closely retells Jesus asking his disciples about his public identity and then demanding their own answer. It reproduces the proposed identities of John the Baptist, Elijah, and a prophet before presenting Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ.

  2. Love Has Called My Name — Neal Morse (2020) Matthew 16:13-16

    Jesus’ examination of the Twelve closely reproduces his questions at Caesarea Philippi concerning public opinion about the Son of Man and the disciples’ own identification of him.

  3. TRUST MY SOUL — CHANGETHEWXRLD (2023) Matthew 16:15-17

    The singer describes recognition of Christ as a divine revelation rather than knowledge supplied by human beings, closely paralleling Jesus’ response to Peter’s confession.

  4. The Keys to the Kingdom — Neal Morse (2019) Matthew 16:17-23

    The song closely reenacts Jesus naming Simon as Peter, attributing his insight to divine revelation, promising him the kingdom’s keys, predicting suffering in Jerusalem, and receiving Peter’s resistance to the cross.

  5. I Know A Name - Live — Elevation Worship (2025) Matthew 16:18

    The image of the gates of Hades losing their security under Christ's authority adapts Jesus' promise that those gates will not prevail against his church.

  6. I Know A Name — Elevation Worship (2025) Matthew 16:18

    The shaking gates of Hell adapt Jesus' declaration that the gates of Hades will not prevail against His church.

  7. REBEL — Anne Wilson (2023) Matthew 16:18

    The image of hell's gates being overthrown draws on Jesus' declaration that those gates will not prevail against his church.

  8. Trenches — Behold the Beloved (2022) Matthew 16:18

    The united church's defiance of hell's gates directly recalls Jesus' declaration that the gates of Hades will not prevail against his church.

  9. I Believe (Live) — Bethel Music & Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser (2021) Matthew 16:18

    The pairing of Christ’s church with the gates of Hades unmistakably invokes Jesus’ declaration that those gates will not prevail against his church.

  10. Take It All Back - What The Enemy Stole — Tauren Wells, Davies. (2024) Matthew 16:18

    The chorus uses Jesus’ distinctive image of the gates of Hades being unable to prevail against his church, recasting it as an offensive declaration of spiritual victory.

  11. Salt And Light — Rend Collective (2026) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that hell’s gates cannot prevail closely reproduces Jesus’ promise concerning the advance and endurance of his church.

  12. Spirit of Elijah (Live) — Red Rocks Worship & Tyler Roberts (2025) Matthew 16:18

    The interlude closely restates Jesus' declaration that the powers of death will not overcome his church.

  13. Estamos de Pé (Ao Vivo) — Marcus Salles (2020) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that infernal power cannot prevail against the church unmistakably invokes Jesus’ promise concerning the gates of Hades and the church he would build.

  14. Estamos de Pé - Ao Vivo — Marcus Salles (2021) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that hell cannot prevail against the church unmistakably echoes Jesus’ promise that the powers of Hades will not overcome his church.

  15. What A Worthy Name — Passion & Chidima (2026) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that the church stands upon a rock and withstands the powers of death strongly echoes Jesus' promise to build his church on the rock.

  16. Take It All Back — Tauren Wells & Davies. & We The Kingdom (2022) Matthew 16:18

    The image of advancing against hell’s gates draws directly on Jesus’ declaration that the gates of Hades will not prevail against his church.

  17. Worship Is Warfare — Meet Your Maker (2023) Matthew 16:18-19

    The combined imagery of Hell's gates, authoritative keys, and binding the enemy unmistakably draws from Jesus' promise concerning the church, the gates of Hades, and the keys of the kingdom.

  18. Holy - Live — Red Rocks Worship (2019) Matthew 16:18

    The destruction of hell's gates reworks Jesus' declaration that the gates of Hades will not prevail against his church, intensifying the image from failed resistance to shattered defenses.

  19. The Devil Is on the Run — Casting Crowns (2022) Matthew 16:18

    The church's unity and the shaking gates of hell unmistakably invoke Jesus' promise that he will build his church and that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

  20. Build Your Church — Elevation Worship (2021) Matthew 16:18-19

    The chorus closely follows Jesus' promise to establish his church against the power of Hades and his accompanying language about kingdom keys, binding, and loosing.

  21. Hope of the Ages — Hillsong Worship (2021) Matthew 16:18

    The description of Christ actively building his church and no opposing power being able to stop it closely paraphrases Jesus’ promise that he will build his church and that the powers of death will not prevail against it.

  22. Hope Of The Ages (Live) — Cody Carnes (2023) Matthew 16:18

    The description of Jesus actively establishing his Church and opposition being unable to defeat it closely paraphrases his promise concerning the Church and the powers of death.

  23. HOUSE OF PRAYER — Mitch Wong (2025) Matthew 16:18

    The contrast between human brand-building and the church Christ builds directly restates Jesus' promise that the powers of death will not prevail against His church.

  24. Know You Will — Hillsong UNITED (2021) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that Christ's church stands upon the Rock and cannot be defeated by the gates of Hell closely paraphrases Jesus' promise concerning His church and the gates of Hades.

  25. Devils Den — Impending Doom (2018) Matthew 16:18

    The confrontation at hell’s gates evokes Jesus’ declaration that the gates of Hades will not prevail against his people. The song adapts that image to portray resistance against the spiritual captivity surrounding the singer’s brother.

  26. Your Church Is Alive (Live) — Mack Brock (2020) Matthew 16:18-19

    The chorus combines Jesus’ imagery of the rock, the building of his church, the keys of the kingdom, and the inability of Hades’ gates to prevail against it.

  27. Death Where Is Your Sting — Cory Asbury (2018) Matthew 16:18

    The paired references to Christ's Church and the inability of hell's gates to withstand it unmistakably echo Jesus' promise concerning his assembly.

  28. The Kingdom of Jesus — The Porter's Gate (2024) Matthew 16:18

    The language about the gates of Hell appearing to prevail directly engages Jesus’ promise that the gates of Hades will not overcome his church.

  29. God of the Promise — Elevation Worship (2018) Matthew 16:18

    The bridge closely restates Jesus' declaration that the power or realm of death will not prevail against his church.

  30. Vitorioso És (Ao Vivo) — Gabriel Guedes de Almeida (2019) Matthew 16:18

    The declaration that hell has failed to prevail closely echoes Jesus’ promise that the gates of Hades will not overcome his church.

  31. Marching On — Rend Collective (2018) Matthew 16:18

    The assertion that Hell’s gates cannot withstand the advancing church closely paraphrases Jesus’ promise that the gates of Hades will not prevail against his church.

  32. New Wine (Is My Bible A Barricade?) — Chris Llewellyn (2023) Matthew 16:19

    The song invokes Jesus’ image of the keys of the kingdom, then critiques religious authorities who use that authority to restrict kindness and access rather than serve God’s purposes.

  33. Get Behind Me Satan — Neal Morse (2020) Matthew 16:21-26

    The song closely reproduces Jesus’ rebuke of Peter after Peter rejects the prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It also follows the passage through Jesus’ teaching about taking up the cross, losing one’s life for his sake, and the danger of gaining the world at the cost of one’s soul.

  34. Always Good — Andrew Peterson (2018) Matthew 16:21-23

    The song recalls Jesus plainly predicting his death and resurrection on the third day while Peter nevertheless fails to accept what he has been told.

  35. Get Behind Me — Emerson Day (2025) Matthew 16:23

    The phrase 'get behind me' directly references Jesus' rebuke of Peter in Matthew 16:23, where He tells Peter to get behind Him, indicating a rejection of the enemy's influence.

  36. Get Behind Me — Emerson Day & Zach Williams (2025) Matthew 16:23

    The phrase 'get behind me' directly references Jesus' rebuke of Peter in Matthew 16:23, where He tells Peter to get behind Him, indicating a rejection of the adversary's influence.

  37. Get Behind Me - Radio Version — Emerson Day (2025) Matthew 16:23

    The song directly references the command to the devil to 'get behind me,' echoing Jesus' rebuke to Peter in Matthew 16:23, where Jesus tells Peter to get behind Him, indicating a rejection of temptation and a call to follow Him.

  38. Destroyer — Skillet (2022) Matthew 16:23

    The speaker’s command that the deceptive enemy move behind him closely echoes Jesus’ rebuke of Satan while correcting Peter. The song adapts that distinctive command into an act of resistance against lies and spiritual oppression.

  39. State of Me — Lacey Sturm (2021) Matthew 16:23

    The repeated command uses the same brief rebuke Jesus directs toward Peter when Peter opposes his path to the cross. In the song, the phrase carries a dual function: ordering obstructive powers away while calling potential followers to move with the speaker.

  40. Hold Back the Rain — Group 1 Crew (2016) Matthew 16:23

    The archaic command directed toward the enemy reproduces Jesus' rebuke associated with Satan, adapting it as an expression of spiritual defiance.

  41. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus / Nearer My God to Thee — Elvis Presley (2022) Matthew 16:24

    The opening presents cross-bearing as a personal obligation shared by all, closely reflecting Jesus’ command that anyone who follows him must take up his or her own cross.

  42. Take Up Your Cross — Jon Guerra (2025) Matthew 16:24-26

    The song directly quotes Jesus' teaching on self-denial and taking up one's cross, emphasizing the necessity of sacrifice for those who wish to follow Him.

  43. All In All — Josh Garrels (2023) Matthew 16:24

    The chorus closely reproduces Jesus’ call to self-denial, cross-bearing, and discipleship.

  44. Death of Ego — Nathan Wagner (2025) Matthew 16:24-26

    The opening contrasts worldly gain with profound inner loss, closely reflecting Jesus’ warning that gaining the world cannot compensate for forfeiting one’s soul. The song’s wider call to relinquish the self also fits the passage’s immediate context of self-denial.

  45. 100% — Phil Wickham (2023) Matthew 16:24-26

    The opening verse closely invokes Jesus’ teaching that disciples must take up their crosses and lose their lives for his sake in order to find true life. Its contrast between discipleship and worldly gain also follows the passage’s immediate context.

  46. Promise Land — Peyton Parrish (2025) Matthew 16:24

    The chorus directly invokes Jesus’ command that disciples take up their cross and follow him.

  47. You Get The Glory — Jonathan Traylor (2020) Matthew 16:24

    The singer describes his suffering as a personal cross he must bear, directly invoking Jesus' image of taking up one's cross as part of costly discipleship.

  48. War of Change - Reignited — Thousand Foot Krutch & Adelitas Way (2024) Matthew 16:24

    The singer adopts Jesus’ instruction that a disciple must take up the cross, using it as a declaration of courageous self-sacrifice.

  49. Let Go Let God (Challenge Remix) — Zaytoven & 1k Phew & ELI MONTANNA & GodFearin & Mike Teezy & GODINA (2024) Matthew 16:24

    The instruction to take up one's cross and continue walking closely paraphrases Jesus' command that disciples deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.

  50. Letting Go For Dear Life — Tenth Avenue North (2024) Matthew 16:24-25

    The bridge directly invokes Jesus' paradox that a person who relinquishes life for his sake will truly find it, connecting surrender with Christ's self-giving death.

  51. For The Cause — Keith & Kristyn Getty (2020) Matthew 16:24

    The personal vow closely follows Jesus’ threefold call to renounce self-rule, accept the cross, and become his follower.

  52. Follow (Live From Passion 2024) — Passion & Melodie Malone (2024) Matthew 16:24

    The commitment to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus directly restates Christ’s call to self-denial and discipleship.

  53. HOW MANY (feat. Mogli the Iceburg) — indie tribe & nobigdyl. & Jon Keith & Torey D'Shaun & Mogli the Iceburg (2026) Matthew 16:24-26

    The closing verse combines renouncing the world with dying to self, closely reflecting Jesus’ teaching about self-denial, losing one’s life for him, and the futility of gaining the world.

  54. No Rest for the Wicked — Stryper (2022) Matthew 16:24

    The command to take up the cross directly invokes Jesus' call to self-denial and discipleship. Setting aside the crown further emphasizes relinquishing self-rule, though that detail is the song's own extension of the passage.

  55. What a Saviour - Live — New Wine Worship & Alfred Nygren (2018) Matthew 16:24-25

    The song presents surrendering the self as the path to being truly found, closely reflecting Jesus’ teaching that disciples must deny themselves and lose their lives for his sake in order to find them.

  56. Let Go — Hillsong Young & Free (2018) Matthew 16:24-25

    The song’s central paradox parallels Jesus’ teaching that relinquishing self-directed life in order to follow him is the way to truly gain life.

  57. Love Riot — Newsboys (2016) Matthew 16:24-25

    Jesus’ invitation to follow him is paired with surrendering one’s life for a greater purpose, closely reflecting his teaching that disciples must deny themselves and lose their lives for his sake.

  58. Walls — Sam Purpose (2019) Matthew 16:24-25

    The lyrics connect self-denial with following Christ and describe losing one's life for his sake as true gain, closely restating Jesus' teaching on discipleship.

  59. I Come Alive — Out of the Dust (2017) Matthew 16:24-25

    The call to follow Jesus through self-denial and cross-bearing, together with the paradox of losing oneself in order to find life, closely follows Jesus’ teaching on discipleship.

  60. For The Cause - Live — Keith & Kristyn Getty (2017) Matthew 16:24

    The personal vow closely reproduces Jesus’ command that disciples renounce self-rule, accept the cross, and follow him.

  61. Waiting on You — Bizzle (2019) Matthew 16:24-25

    The claim that surrendering the self results in recovering true life closely condenses Jesus’ teaching that disciples must deny themselves and that losing one’s life for him is the way to find it.

  62. Freedom — Corey Mills (2018) Matthew 16:24

    The singer commits to taking up his cross and following Jesus, closely paraphrasing Jesus’ call to self-denial and discipleship.

  63. Pick up the Pieces — Adelaide (2019) Matthew 16:24

    The bridge directly adopts Jesus’ call to self-denial and cross-bearing as the defining posture of discipleship.

  64. Started With You — Dan Bremnes (2025) Matthew 16:25

    The paradox of discovering one's true self through losing oneself closely echoes Jesus' teaching that the person who loses their life for his sake will find it.

  65. Over and Over — Vertical Worship (2020) Matthew 16:25

    The bridge closely paraphrases Jesus’ paradox that surrendering one’s life for him is the way to find true life.

  66. Nothing but You — Tauren Wells, Davies. (2017) Matthew 16:25

    The pre-chorus closely restates Jesus’ paradox that attempting to preserve one’s life results in loss, while surrendering it for him leads to true life.

  67. Touch the Sky — Hillsong UNITED (2016) Matthew 16:25-26

    The song closely restates Jesus’ paradox that life is found by relinquishing it, then recasts his warning about gaining the whole world while forfeiting oneself.

  68. Glitter and Glory — Avalon (2020) Matthew 16:26

    The song paraphrases Jesus' teaching that profiting the whole world is worthless if it costs the soul, reframing worldly success as spiritual loss.

  69. Letter to the Church — Bryson Gray (2021) Matthew 16:27

    The chorus explicitly cites this verse and summarizes its teaching that the returning Son of Man will recompense each person according to their deeds.

Matthew 16 (King James Version)

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 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?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.