Matthew 16:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

NIV: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'

NASB: Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'

CSB: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is? "

NLT: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'

KJV: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

NKJV: 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?”

Jesus and His disciples have crossed the Sea of Galilee once more (Matthew 16:5) but this time they travel together 25 miles north of Galilee to the district of Caesarea Philippi. The town, at the base of snow-capped Mount Hermon, had previously been dedicated to the worship of Baal and then to the Greek god Pan. Now it had been enlarged and renamed by Herod the Tetrarch in honor of the Roman Caesar, with "Philippi" added to keep it from being confused with the coastal town of Caesarea. The region was now populated mostly by Gentiles. Jesus may have travelled there to be away from Galilee and to focus His attention on His disciples.

Christ begins this exchange by asking His disciples about what they've heard from others about who the Son of Man is. "Son of Man" is the name Jesus most often used for Himself. The name not only emphasized His humanity, it was a clear reference to a prophecy about the Messiah in Daniel 7:13–14. Daniel describes one like a "son of man" who was given "dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him" (Daniel 7:14).

Matthew 16:13–20 describes a conversation between Jesus and the disciples about His identity. It takes place about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee in the district of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asks who the people say He is and then asks who the disciples say He is. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus says this declaration of faith will be the rock on which He will build His church.

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.