Mark 8:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

NIV: But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah.'

NASB: And He continued questioning them: 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered and *said to Him, 'You are the Christ.'

CSB: "But you," he asked them, "who do you say that I am? "Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah."

NLT: Then he asked them, 'But who do you say I am?' Peter replied, 'You are the Messiah. '

KJV: And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

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

When Jesus asks the question, there's no indication that the phrase "I am" here means He is claiming to be the I AM, as used in Exodus 3:14 or as repeated in the Gospel of John. In John 8:56–59, Jesus tells the Pharisees, "Before Abraham was, I am," and the Pharisees know immediately Jesus is claiming to be God. Again, at the garden of Gethsemane, when the chief priests and Pharisees ask if He is Jesus of Nazareth, He responds, "I am he." Those words hold such power the men fall to the ground (John 18:3–6). Here, however, He is just asking a question.

The Socratic method of teaching uses questions and answers to help students think through the possibilities and derive the answer on their own. By asking the disciples first who others think He is (Mark 8:27), He gives them space to consider what they have heard. Then, by asking what they think, He allows them to consider the evidence for themselves. Instead of having to come up with their conclusion on the spot, they are able to first determine if the other claims fit with what they've seen and heard. With the alternatives considered and discarded, the only remaining option is that Jesus is the Christ.

"Christ" is from the Greek root word christos and means anointed. In Hebrew, it is "Messiah." Luke's version says, "the Christ of God" (Luke 9:20); Matthew 16:16 says, "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Mark, as he often does, condenses the statement. Peter is given the honor of finally answering the question the Twelve had posed after they witnessed Jesus calming the storm: "Who then is this?" (Mark 4:41). Before too long, however, Peter will deny even knowing Jesus (Mark 14:66–72).

Mark 8:27–30 begins the second half of Mark's Gospel, focusing on Jesus as ''the Christ.'' The encounters beginning here must have been a whirlwind of emotions for the disciples. Peter declares Jesus is the Christ and immediately after denies what the Christ is there to do (Mark 8:31–33). Jesus teaches a crowd that they must give up their lives for their belief in Him (Mark 8:34—9:1), and six days later, Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' true glory (Mark 9:2–8). Within a week, the disciples experience the highs and lows of following the Christ. Peter's confession is also in Matthew 16:13–20 and Luke 9:18–20.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.