Jesus Asks His Followers Who They Think He Is
Welcome to Day 1 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we see what happened when people met Jesus. The main truth for today is this: Jesus asks his disciples to say who they believe he is, rather than repeat what other people say. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Matthew 16:13–17
Step 1 of 5
Xool li xewoon bi nit ñi dajee ak Yeesu.
Matthew 16:13–17 records what happened while Jesus traveled with his disciples.
Watch: The Question Jesus Still Asks
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Jesus Asks What People Say.
Jesus came with his disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi. There, Jesus asked them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” “Son of Man” is a title Jesus often used for himself. The disciples knew Jesus was asking about himself.
The Disciples Report What They Heard.
The disciples told Jesus what they had heard. They said, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Each answer compared Jesus to a man from Israel’s past. The prophet Malachi had said Elijah would come before the day of the Lord. This is written in Malachi 4:5. The people saw that Jesus was important. They did not agree about who Jesus is.
Jesus Asks the Disciples.
Then Jesus asked the disciples a second question. He said, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Peter said Jesus is the Messiah. The Messiah is the king God promised to send. Peter also said Jesus is the Son of the living God. The other answers did not say this.
Jesus Says the Father Showed This to Peter.
Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Jesus said Peter did not learn this from a human source. “Flesh and blood” means a human source. God the Father showed Peter who Jesus is. Jesus called Simon Peter blessed. To be blessed means God has shown favor. Peter did not earn this answer. The Father gave it to him.
What This Encounter Shows.
In this encounter, Jesus asked his disciples who they said he was. The crowd gave many answers. Peter gave one answer. Peter said Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God. Jesus said the Father had shown this to Peter. This is the Meet step in the Jesus365 Journey. The next step, Listen, looks closely at the words Jesus and Peter spoke.
Xalaatal ci lii.
If Jesus asked you today, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13–17) what would your answer reveal about the Jesus you actually believe in?
Notice the encounter
Ask God for the honesty to set aside inherited labels and begin examining Jesus through His own words.
What This Means for Your Life.
Jesus does not invite you first to debate other people’s opinions about him. He asks the more personal question: Who do you say that I am? In Matthew 16:13–17, Peter’s answer matters because Jesus’ identity is not a side issue. If he is the Christ, the promised King, and the Son of the living God, then he deserves more than polite admiration or vague respect.
That question is still relevant if you are curious, skeptical, religious, or simply unsure what to make of Jesus. You can postpone many decisions, but not forever the question of who he is and what you will do with his claims. The good news is that Jesus does not ask you to pretend certainty. He invites you to keep listening, weigh his words honestly, and let the evidence shape your response.
One way to respond today is to read Matthew 16:13–17 slowly and write down, in your own words, who Jesus is according to this passage—not according to habit, family background, or internet opinion. Then ask whether your view of him matches what the text actually says.
Reflection question: If Jesus asked you today, “Who do you say that I am?” what would your answer reveal about the Jesus you truly believe in?
