By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Matthew 16:13-20

By Rev. Ron Purkey

Jesus asked, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13)

Jesus took his disciples to Gentile territory, in the region of Caesarea Philippi. They were about 120 miles from Jerusalem in the northern part of Palestine.

The region was strongly identified with various religions. It had been a center for Baal worship; the Greek god Pan had shrines there; and Herod the Great had built a temple there to honor Augustus Caesar.

It was in the midst of this pagan superstition that Peter confessed Jesus as the Son of God. And it was probably within sight of Caesar’s temple that Jesus announced a surprise: He would not yet establish his kingdom, but he would build his church.

If anyone else asked, “Whom do men say that I am?” we would think him either mad or arrogant. But in the case of Jesus, a right confession of who he is, is basic to salvation (Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 2:18-23; 4:1-3). His person and his work go together and must never be separated. It is amazing to see how confused the public was about Jesus (John 10:19-21). Perhaps, like Herod, the people thought Jesus was John raised from the dead.

One thing is clear: We can never make a true decision about Jesus Christ by taking a poll of the people, though some people do get their “spiritual knowledge” this way. The important thing is not what others say, but what do you and I personally say? The decisions of the crowd (wrong or right) can never substitute for personal decisions.

Simon Peter had the correct response: “Thou art the Christ (the Messiah), the son of the living God!” This confession was Peter’s response to the revelation God the Father had given him. Jesus himself explained this experience in Matthew 11:25-27. This revelation was not the result of Peter’s own investigation. It came as the gracious act of God. God had hidden these things from the proud Pharisees and Sadducees and revealed them to “babes,” the humble disciples.

How, then, did this confession differ from those that preceded it? To begin with, Jesus explicitly asked for this confession. It was not an emotional response from people who had seen a miracle, but the studied and sincere statement of a man who had been taught by God.

Also, Jesus accepted this confession and built on it to teach them new truth. It must have rejoiced his heart to hear Peter’s words. The Lord knew that Peter could now be led into new steps of deeper truth and service. All of our Lord’s ministry to his disciples had prepared the way for this experience. We should look at these great words and concepts individually.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at rcpbibleoutlines.com free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.