Matthew 16:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

NIV: They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

NASB: And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.'

CSB: They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

NLT: Well,' they replied, 'some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.'

KJV: And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

NKJV: So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Jesus and His disciples are away from Galilee to the north. Jesus asks them who the people say that He is. Jesus seems to be probing to see if the people, and His own disciples, understand Him to be the Messiah.

The disciples respond that the people are divided in their opinions of who Jesus might be. Based on His teaching and miraculous healing abilities, many think Jesus represents the return or resurrection of one of Israel's prophets of old, like Elijah or Jeremiah. Others, including Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:2), believe Jesus to be John the Baptist somehow. Jesus has described John the Baptist as the fulfilment of the promise that Elijah would return (Matthew 11:13–14).

The disciples' response suggests the people who closely followed Him believed Jesus to be a powerful prophet of God. They saw in Him the fulfillment of prophecy. It's unclear what form, exactly, any of these separate groups expected the Messiah to take. The general assumption, in that era, was that Messiah would be a conquering warrior or political leader. Perhaps some thought the Messiah would be a prophet or would come to power after the return of the prophets. Very few, however, understood Jesus in the way Peter's view implies (Matthew 16:16).

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.