Matthew 16:13-19, 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?” So, they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Rephrased, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples “Who do people say I am?” Firstly, they thought he was John the Baptist. They also thought he could be Elijah in a different form. Some even said he could be Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He asked them “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ! You are the Son of the Living God!”
“Jesus answered and said, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my father who is in Heaven.’ I also say to you that you’re Peter, on this rock I will build my church” and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against. You have been given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind here on Earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you lose here on Earth will be loosed in heaven.”
“As Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They all had different answers, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Simon Peter answered that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. For this proclamation of faith, Jesus blessed him and said that it was revealed to him from God’s heavenly realm.”
“It is pivotal moment in our understanding of who Jesus really is as well as a recognition by Jesus that faith comes from an external source beyond human capacity.
Jesus’ question to his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” has been the source of fascination for centuries. Generally believed to be a Prophet, Jesus was but only a part of who he truly was. When asked the same question, Simon Peter answered and declared Jesus as being far more than a prophet; He is “The Christ – The Son of the living God”.
This revelation was not obtained by any human means but instead, by divine grace from God in Heaven. Thus, when Jesus blessed, him saying “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah”, it came with deep appreciation for His recognition of the divine origin of spiritual knowledge that had been imparted to Peter himself.
Jesus asked his disciples “Who do you say that I am?”, and the answer Simon Peter gave was astonishing: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Jesus was so pleased with the declaration he delivered a blessing for Simon Bar-Jonah for saying it.
He said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven”. This powerful statement shows the intimate connection between Jesus and God as well as His divinity. It teaches us that faith is a gift from God and requires trusting in Him with all our hearts.”
Jesus’ question “who do you say that I am?” and Simon Peter’s response are foundational to the Christian faith. Peter answers Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response, Jesus declares blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven. These words not only identify Jesus as divine but also set a new course in motion for Christianity throughout history. It marks a shift from man-made religion to a relationship with God through His Son.
Throughout Jesus’ life, He posed a profound question to His disciples: Who do you say I am? Simon Peter is famously remembered for responding with faith and insight, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then blessed Peter for his strong statement of belief, proclaiming “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
These words demonstrate how Jesus highly valued faith and submission – that one must accept that He is more than human in order to understand His identity. This event serves as an essential reminder for us to not base our beliefs on just the physical world around us. And when you realize Who Jesus truly is and understand the magnitude of what God can do in you, through you, and with you.
You will become an immovable fortress, and no demon, devil, or power in hell will stop God divine purpose from coming to fruition. So, stay focused on Jesus and allow God %100 access to your life. So, nothing can stop you from reaching your God-given destiny.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks his followers a very important question – “Who do you say that I am?” In response to this inquiry, Simon Peter declared boldly that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Upon hearing his answer, Jesus responded by praising Simon for realizing this truth which had not been revealed to him by the flesh but by God himself.
It was in this moment that Jesus established Peter’s calling not just as a disciple but the foundation, the cornerstone, and the turning point in God establishing His Kingdom here on earth and without acknowledging Jesus Christ and recognizing Him as the Son of the Living God and accepting Him as your savior.
You will not have access to it. Jesus always has been, and will always be the ONLY way, the Only truth, the ONLY life. The only way to get to God the Father is through Him and the power of the Holy Spirit.
