Who is He?

Matthew 16:13-20

Verses 13-14

We see here people’s perceptions of who he was. More accurately their misconceptions of who he was.

Today is no different, who the world says Christ is, is often vastly different from how scripture describes him.

Yet, here there is a specific question, that is being asked. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?

Who is it that they say? John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or some other prophet.

Yet, Jesus is specific with is question, who do they say the Son of Man is?

Daniel 7:13–14 “I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.”

Surely they had evidence enough to know that the Messiah was to be more than a prophet. Why could they not see it?

Ephesians 3:4–6 “By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Colossians 1:26–27 “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Romans 16:25–26 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles—”

It is only understood by spiritual revelation given to a person by God, note Jesus’ response to Peter in verse 17.

Verses 15-16:

He would now make this question personal, who do you say that I am?

Every study of what others say about Christ should lead us to the question, Who do I think that he is?

So to in the preaching of the Gospel, there comes a time to dispense with vague generalizations and to get very specific and personal and ask others what they will do with Christ.

Peter’s Confession

You are the Christ/Messiah

The Son of the Living God

All who would come to Christ must believe these two things

John 20:31; 1 John 2:18-23.

Verses 17-18:

Jesus’ Proclamation of Peter

Blessed are you Simon - Blessed indeed are all who come to see this truth and to have it revealed to them.

Not Revealed by flesh and blood, but by the Father!! - And that is how it is revealed to all who come to know it, John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

This is the revelation that the entire Church is built upon, Christ, the Stone that the Builders rejected (Ps 118:22; Acts 4:11) He is the Stone which becomes the mountain of God filling all the earth in Daniel 2:35. The Rock is Christ.

Verses 19-20:

Here we see authority conferred to the Church for church discipline and defense of the Gospel.

Finally, Jesus continues the Messianic Secret until his triumphal entry.