Studying a Powerful Conversation with Jesus
Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” and after that conversation, things shifted. Today we look at Luke’s account of this exchange.
Our study will include
- Luke’s purpose for writing his gospel.
- What is being asked and conveyed in this passage.
- How this conversation is recorded in other gospels.
- How this exchange is a turning point in the narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Putting Ourselves in the Room with The Disciples
When we make sure we understand more nuance about the ideas presented by the Bible, we can do a better job of receiving what Biblical writers intended to communicate. This helps us keep from unintentionally applying our own box of understanding to the Bible, and will, instead, let the Bible teach us on its own terms.
Answering “Who Do You Say I Am?” for Ourselves
At the end, we’ll look at what this question, “Who Do You Say I Am?,” can mean for you when you open yourself up to hearing it as a question Jesus might ask of you and how this can have an everyday use for you as you walk out life as a follower of Jesus.
The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights
The Text of Our Scripture for Today:
18 Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.” 20 He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ sent from God.” 21 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. Luke 9:18-21 CEB
Noticing What Luke Considered to be Significant
His gospel focuses on Jesus’ commission from God, Jesus’ close connection with God (especially in solitary prayer), and demonstrating that Jesus is the expected Messiah.
Luke also focuses on what the church should be doing in the interim period between the ascension and the second-coming of Jesus in the future. His gospel, as a result, pays special attention to Jesus’ engagement with those who were oppressed, poor, and marginalized.
The Details of Luke’s Gospel Compared to The Others
This conversation is also recorded in both Matthew 16 (v. 13-20) and Mark 8 (v. 27-30). Each writer chooses different details to include in his narrative. Though we’ll use Luke’s telling as our foundation, comparing with the other versions is a useful step in truly understanding this story.
We’ll talk about some of those distinct points as we explore the passage.
Careful Reading: One Verse At a Time
18Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
Luke’s account is the only one among the gospels to note that Jesus was praying before this exchange takes place. This can teach us something about Jesus, but also is part of Luke’s ongoing emphasis on Jesus’ close relationship with God in prayer.
19They answered, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.”
Malachi prophesied that the return of Elijah (or a figure symbolizing his return) would precede the day of Judgment. Many understand John the Baptist to be this figure.
20He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ sent from God.”
“You” in this verse is plural; it is also emphasized in the Greek. (This is true of all 3 gospel accounts of this conversation).
21Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
Jesus’ reasons for instructing secrecy could be varied. The Jewish population, under Roman rule, was primed for revolt – southing many expected the Messiah to spearhead. Perhaps Jesus did not want to want these flames just yet.
Also, the Messiah was expected to come and demonstrate his authority as such, but it was supposed to other parties who recognized his messiahship first. Maybe Jesus wanted to be sure to avoid seeming to announce himself as the Messiah.
How This Helps You Read the Bible Better
Looking at this conversation in the arc of Jesus’ ministry shows us that it’s a turning point in how he interacts with his disciples.
In all three gospel accounts, this exchange precedes the point at which Jesus starts talking to his friends about the suffering he will endure as the Messiah.
We can explore many questions about the significance of these two things side-by-side. Though we can’t know with certainty what the significance of this sequence was (and its being communicated in this way), we can be sure that there was intentionality behind it.
This exploration can lay the groundwork for many intriguing questions.
How to Learn Even More as You Read
Sometimes, a new perspective or a new question can spark a wealth of excitement and fun as we study the Word.
You can learn practices designed to help you dig into passages from different angles with my FREE Guide “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study.” Sign up for your download below!
Here are some other helpful resources related to today’s teaching:
Here’s a great overview about Luke (the man, not the book).
A Quick Look at John the Baptist as the Foretold Return of Elijah
(As with everything on the internet, please check out your sources, and ingest the information provided through the careful lens of that source’s practices, policies, priorities, and etc.)
You might also like these other Mini Bible Studies. Check one out today!