Who do men say that I am ?
Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
INTRODUCTION
A historical charismatic Man, Jesus of Nazareth, who lived and died some two thousand years ago asks a question of His followers (disciples). The question that Jesus (or Yashua, his Hebraic name) asked was:
Who do men say that I am?
The responses and follow-up questions are priceless as we seek to learn how those closest to Him replied to this relevant query.
We need to recognize the importance of this probe into the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. From historical records we can confirm His existence and verify that death by crucifixion under Roman occupation in Israel/Judah did occur.
What we are most interested in is to verify what the testimonies of both witnesses and various Biblical writers had to say about Jesus of Nazareth.
Providentially, this information can be found in the standard Bible which many people already have in their homes today. This will be the primary source we will use in our investigation.
TO WHOM IS JESUS ASKING THIS QUESTION ?
Jesus of Nazareth had many followers besides the twelve disciples whom He also named Apostles. Occasionally, the writers of Biblical books when using the word “disciples” a “multitude” of the followers of Jesus are they that are referred to.
However, most of the time, when the word “disciples” is used, He is interacting with the “twelve” disciples/apostles. These men were His “inner circle”, whom He took into His confidence, communicating with them on a regular basis.
In the Book of Acts chapter 1, the disciples of Jesus are numbered at 120. And the 2nd chapter of the same book tell us that 2000 souls were added to “the congregation” that day.
One must examine the context of the Biblical passage to understand who/whom is referred to.
THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS VERSES.
Luke 6
(12) Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
(13) And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
(14) Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
(15) Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;
(16) Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
THE DISCIPLES ANSWER JESUS
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon the Zealot, Judas of James, and Judas Iscariot; respond to Jesus’ question of: Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
John the Baptist had just been beheaded (Matthew 14:8-12) . . . Elijah the prophet was taken up in a whirlwind (2Kings 2:11) . . . Jeremiah the Prophet was most likely stoned in Egypt (Jeremiah 32:1-3) . . . a Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15)
Matthew 16
(14) So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
JESUS RESPONS TO THE DISCIPLES ANSWER
Jesus did not reject the John, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets answer which the disciples reported from the rumors which they were aware of BUT . . . neither did he confirm that any or all of these were correct either ! Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon the Zealot, Judas of James, and Judas Iscariot; respond to Jesus’ question of: Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
REDO ABOVE CONTENT !!
John the Baptist had just been beheaded (Matthew 14:8-12) . . . Elijah the prophet was taken up in a whirlwind (2Kings 2:11) . . . Jeremiah the Prophet was most likely stoned in Egypt (Jeremiah 32:1-3) . . . a Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15)