“But whom say ye that I am?”
The full verse · Luke 9:20 · KJV
He unto , that ? , The of .
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who had just asked what the people said of Him (Luke 9:18)
Asked to
Disciples: "his disciples" (Luke 9:18), the twelve (Luke 9:1, 12), with Jesus as He prayed alone; after they reported what the people said, He asked their own view, and "Peter answering said, The Christ of God" (Luke 9:19-20)
The Scene
Alone with His disciples after praying, Jesus has just heard their report that the people think He is John the Baptist, Elias, or one of the old prophets (Luke 9:18-19).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus moved the question from the crowd to the disciples themselves. The little word "But" sets their answer against everyone else's. They had heard the people's guesses; now they had to say what they believed.
Barnes, writing on the parallel in Matthew 16, explains that Jesus often sought His disciples' views so He could "establish them if right, and correct them if wrong." This question gave Peter the chance to say plainly what the twelve had come to believe.
The Response
What Scripture records"Peter answering said, The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). Jesus did not deny it, but "straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing" (Luke 9:21). He then told them what the Christ must face: "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected... and be slain, and be raised the third day" (Luke 9:22). Matthew records that Jesus called Peter "Blessed" and said this had been revealed to him by "my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Christ" is the Greek word for "Anointed," the same title as the Hebrew "Messiah." Barnes explains "The Christ of God" as "The 'Anointed' of God. The 'Messiah' appointed by God, and who had been long promised by him." Gill says it means "The Messiah, who is the Son of God."
Each Gospel words Peter's answer a little differently: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16); "Thou art the Christ" (Mark 8:29); "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). All three agree that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis is the answer to the question Luke has been raising for chapters: "Who is this?" (Luke 5:21; Luke 7:49; Luke 9:9; compare Luke 8:25). Peter says what the crowds and Herod could not: Jesus is God's own Anointed One. Matthew Henry puts Peter's words this way: "thou art the Christ of God, the Anointed of God, the Messiah promised."
Right away Jesus explained what kind of Christ He would be. He would suffer, be rejected, be slain, and rise the third day (Luke 9:22). Then He called anyone who would follow Him to take up a cross daily (Luke 9:23). Knowing who Jesus is leads straight into following Him on His road.
Look Closer
What did Jesus do right after Peter's confession?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, You revealed to Peter who Jesus is; what do You want me to understand about Him that I have not yet confessed?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- If Jesus asked you today, "But whom say ye that I am?", what would you answer in your own words?
- Peter's confession was followed by talk of suffering. How has following Jesus looked different from what you first expected?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Everyone eventually faces this question personally. You can know what your parents, your church, or your friends believe, but Jesus asks what you say.
Peter's answer was short and true. You do not need perfect words to confess Jesus as the Christ. But notice what came next: Jesus spoke of the cross (Luke 9:22-23). Confessing Him as the Christ means trusting Him on His terms, even when His way includes suffering.
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