Mark 8:27-30 (NKJV) Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
(Matt. 16:13–20; Luke 9:18–20)
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”
28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
V27 “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” While walking on the road to another mission opportunity, Jesus asks a question. Jesus knows what they think (Psalm 44:21) but wants them to tell Him. In doing so, they will know what they believe, that is, how much they know at this point. Any good teacher does the same.
Smith Bible Dictionary has regarding Caesarea Philippi: “It was at the easternmost, and most important, of the two recognized sources of the Jordan, the other being at Tel-el-Kadi. The spring rises from, and the city was built on, a limestone terrace in a valley at the base of Mount Hermon, 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. It was enlarged by Herod Philip, and named after Caesar, with his own name added to distinguish it, from Caesarea.”
J. C. Ryle has these thoughts about this verse: “We may see the same thing on every side at the present day. Christ and his Gospel are just as little understood in reality, and are the subject of just as many different opinions as they were eighteen hundred years ago. Many know the name of Christ, acknowledge Him as one who came into the world to save sinners, and regularly worship in buildings set apart for His service. Few thoroughly realize that He is very God—the one Mediator—the one High Priest—the only source of life and peace—their own Shepherd and their own Friend. Vague ideas about Christ are still very common. Intelligent experimental acquaintance with Christ is still very rare. May we never rest till we can say of Christ, “My beloved is mine and I am His.” (Song of Solomon 2:16.) This is saving knowledge. This is life eternal.”
The authentic Jesus is the Jesus of the 4 Gospels.
V28 “So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” As then so now. People have their opinions about who Jesus is that often are very different from the Gospels.
Warren W. Wiersbe has these thoughts: “In His words and His works, Jesus gave every evidence to the people that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, and yet they did not get the message. Instead of diligently seeking for the truth, the people listened to popular opinion and followed it, just as many people do today. They had opinions instead of convictions, and this is what led them astray. Elbert Hubbard defined public opinion as “the judgment of the incapable many, opposed to that of the discerning few.” Thank God for the discerning few!”
V29 “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” Peter believed Jesus to be the Messiah. Peter had been taught since his youth about the Messiah. Knowing the Scriptures and observing Jesus’s ministry, Peter had no doubts. It is to our and every human being to know this, believe this, and live this. But sadly many Christians are weak in their knowledge about Jesus.
V30 “Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.” Why would Jesus say this? Most in Israel had rejected Jesus as being the Messiah, but did accept Him as a prophet. Jesus was open about this—compare John 4:25-26, but at the present, He is less open. The facts, teaching, actions, miracles, etc. all pointed to Jesus being Israel’s, and ours, Messiah.
We learn:
- More about the authentic Jesus.
- More about the rejecting public.
Questions:
- Who is our Jesus?
- Are we teaching others about the authentic Jesus?