Peter’s Confession (Mark 8:27-33)

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.

I. Who do men say that I am?”

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.”

A. There is after all only one basic question in life: Who is Jesus?

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.

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.

B. It had been prophesied that Elijah would come.

The predominant idea is that Jesus was someone who had returned from beyond the grave with superhuman powers. There was clearly no consensus about who Jesus was, and the line between biblical traditions and superstition or magic was not clearly drawn in public opinion.

It had been prophesied that Elijah would come again (Mal. 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. ) , and some thought that this prediction was fulfilled in Christ. However, Jesus did not minister as did Elijah; it was John the Baptist who came “in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1:13–17). Jeremiah was the weeping prophet whose tender heart was broken at the sight of the decay of the nation. Certainly this attitude was seen in Jesus, the Man of sorrows.

II. But who do you say that I am?

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

A. Your confession concerning Jesus Christ is a matter of life or death.

The citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say, “Caesar is lord!” That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens, but it could never save them from their sins and from eternal hell. The only confession that saves us is “Jesus is Lord!”

It is remarkable the number of different opinions the people held about Jesus, though the same situation probably exists today. Peter’s confession went beyond that of the crowds. Jesus was the promised Messiah/Christ.

B. We can never make a true decision about Jesus Christ by taking a poll of the people.

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.

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.

III. Tell no one about Him.

30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

A. Why did Jesus warn them to keep quiet about Him?

The disciples themselves still had much to learn about Him and what it truly meant to follow Him. The religious leaders of the nation had already made up their minds about Him.

The common people wanted to see His miracles, but they had little desire to submit to His message. To announce Him as Messiah might well result in a political uprising that would only do harm.

B. Why did Jesus forbid his disciples to tell anybody that he was the Messiah?

Because people must find this out for themselves, also they must understand what sort of a Messiah Jesus was. He was not to be a spectacular and outwardly successful hero, driving out the hated Roman rulers and setting up a Jewish state, as many hoped.

Instead, he was to be a humble, patient, loving, peaceful Messiah, God’s suffering servant. He commanded silence until He could explain that as Messiah it was necessary for Him to suffer and die in obedience to God’s will.