Why did Jesus ask the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

Answer

Jesus asked many questions. Inquiry was one of His preferred teaching methods. One of the questions Jesus posed to the disciples was “Who do you say that I am?” «He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. », (Luke 9:20). This question elicited a response that is enlightening for all of us.

The context of Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” is significant: “Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’

“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’

“‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’

“Peter answered, ‘God’s Messiah’” (Luke 9:18-20). Similar accounts can be found in Matthew 16 and Mark 8.

Matthew recounts that Peter not only identified Jesus as the Christ but also acknowledged Jesus’ divine nature: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” «And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. », (Matthew 16:16).

Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?” was not a display of ignorance; He knew all things, including what was on the disciples’ minds. The question was also not driven by any form of self-conceit or vanity; Jesus did not seek praise, and He had no interest in seeking compliments. Instead, His question aimed to prompt the disciples to reflect on their faith. The immediate outcomes of His question clarify why He posed it to them.

Jesus initiated the dialogue by asking a related question: “Who do the crowds say I am?” «And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? », (Luke 9:18). In response, the disciples shared the various things they had heard: the opinions included several individuals returning to life, indicating that the crowds perceived Jesus as someone unique. However, the crowds’ assumptions were all incorrect. Therefore, Jesus turns the question to the disciples themselves: “Who do you say that I am?” In essence, are you following the crowd? Are you adhering to the conventional wisdom about Me? Or do you possess another, more insightful answer? What are your true thoughts?

Peter then speaks out. In response to the question, Peter confirms his belief that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and, furthermore, the Son of God. By this point, the disciples had witnessed numerous miracles, such as the raising of a widow’s son in Nain, the calming of a storm, the casting out of many demons from a man in the Gerasenes, and the feeding of 5,000. The disciples understood that Jesus was more than a prophet; He was entirely unique; He was, indeed, God in human form.

In reply to Peter’s proclamation, Jesus acknowledges the blessedness of his faith: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” «And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. », (Matthew 16:17). God, in His grace, had unveiled the disciples’ eyes to perceive Jesus for who He truly was.

Therefore, Jesus poses the question “Who do you say that I am?” and He receives the accurate (divinely inspired) response from Peter. This signifies a pivotal moment in Jesus’ teaching ministry with His disciples. From that point on, the Lord imparts additional teachings to His disciples.

All information, as shocking as it was for them to hear: “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” «From that time forth began Jesus to show 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. », (Matthew 16:21).

Jesus had refrained from telling His disciples about His death and resurrection until they had reached an important milestone: namely, that their faith had grown to the extent that they could express their conviction that Jesus was the Son of God. How the disciples handled the additional information of Jesus’ death would depend on who they believed Jesus to be. Knowing that He is the Son of God, they should be able to trust Him— even to the point of accepting His death (and resurrection) without being shaken.

Unfortunately, the disciples had a hard time processing what Jesus was now telling them, as evidenced in Peter’s response (Matthew 16:22-23). Even having faith in Jesus as the divine Son of God, the disciples were thrown into confusion at the prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection (see Mark 9:32).

Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” is a good example of one of His teaching methods. Asking a question demands engagement, promotes thinking, and draws out a considered response. Jesus’ question and subsequent teaching also illustrate the progressive nature of God’s revelation and our need for growing in faith. Throughout history, God has revealed His message gradually, starting in Genesis and continuing through the close of the canon. He did not reveal any more than mankind.

Needed or was capable of receiving at any given time. Also, Jesus’ delay in introducing the subject of His death and resurrection suggests that the disciples’ faith needed to mature to the point that they could hear and understand. All of us are called to grow in our faith. There is always more to know of Christ. “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity” «Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, », (Hebrews 6:1).