“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
The full verse · Matthew 16:13 · KJV
the of , he , , do that the of ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who calls Himself "the Son of man" (Matthew 16:13)
Asked to
Disciples: "his disciples" (Matthew 16:13), with Jesus in "the coasts of Caesarea Philippi" (Matthew 16:13); He asks them what men are saying about Him.
The Scene
Jesus brings His disciples into the region of Caesarea Philippi and asks them what people are saying about Him; Luke adds that He had been "alone praying" with His disciples near (Matthew 16:13; Luke 9:18).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus was not asking for information He lacked. Gill says He wanted to hear the account from His disciples because they moved among the people and heard their opinions, and that He asked "to make way for another, in order to bring them to an ingenuous confession of their faith in him." Barnes says it was important for Jesus to learn their views and "establish them if right, and correct them if wrong." The question gathers what the crowds were saying so that the next question can ask what the disciples themselves believe (Matthew 16:15).
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe disciples answered: "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets" (Matthew 16:14). Every answer placed Jesus among the prophets, and none called Him the Christ. Jesus then turned the question to them: "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsBarnes places Caesarea Philippi "in the boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali, near Mount Lebanon," and notes that Philip the tetrarch, a son of Herod, greatly enlarged it. "Coasts" translates merē, meaning parts or district, so the KJV means the region around the city, not a seashore.
The opinions the disciples reported had a history. Herod the tetrarch had already said of Jesus, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead" (Matthew 14:1-2). Barnes explains that people connected the two because Jesus "performed many miracles, and strongly resembled John in his manner of life." "Elias" and "Jeremias" are the Greek forms of Elijah and Jeremiah.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyJesus starts with what others say before asking what His own followers say. The crowd's opinions were respectful. John, Elijah, Jeremiah, and the prophets were all honored men of God. But each answer fell short of who Jesus is. Matthew Henry notes that Peter's answer, which followed, showed "that they believed Jesus to be more than man."
This question opens a turning point in Matthew. Right after Peter's confession, "from that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples" that He must suffer, be killed, and be raised (Matthew 16:21). Before He tells them about the cross, Jesus makes sure they know who He is.
Look Closer
Why did Jesus ask what others were saying about Him?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, which opinions about You have I picked up from the people around me without checking them against who You really are?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The crowds held respectful but incomplete views of Jesus. What incomplete pictures of Jesus do you hear today?
- Who helped you move from what others said about Jesus to knowing Him for yourself? What did they do?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
It is good to know what people around you think about Jesus. The disciples knew, and they could answer. Listen to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors with care and respect.
But don't stop there. Every answer the crowds gave was a compliment, and none of them was enough. Kind opinions about Jesus can still miss who He is.
Let His question lead you, as it led the disciples, to your own answer (Matthew 16:15-16).
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