Lesson 5 of 5 · Unit 2: What He Said About Himself and What He Did
“But who do you say that I am?”
Aim of the lesson
To look back over what you have read in this course, to hear Jesus’ question to his disciples as addressed to you personally, and to learn why the Gospel was written, without being asked for a hasty decision.
Read first
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 20:31
Study passages: read them in your Bible before or after the lesson.
- Matthew 16:13-17 — “But who do you say that I am?”
- John 20:24-31 — Thomas, and why the Gospel was written
The lesson
In the district of Caesarea Philippi, away from the crowds, Jesus asked his disciples what seems an easy question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). They answered with what people were saying about him: some said John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets (see Matthew 16:14).
Notice that these answers were not unkind words about Jesus; they placed him among the greatest men of God that people knew. But Jesus was not content with what people were saying. He asked a second, closer question: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
A question no one can answer for you
The first question is easy; you only have to pass on what others say. But no one can answer the second one for you: not your family, not your friends, and not us who wrote these lessons. That is why in this course we have not asked you to believe what we say, but to read the testimony for yourself. So let us look back together at what we have read:
- We saw a man asleep in a boat get up and command the wind and the sea, and they obeyed him (Mark 4:38-41).
- We read that the Word was with God and was God, and that he became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14).
- We heard him say: I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, and the way, and the truth, and the life (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6).
- We saw him forgive the paralytic’s sins and heal him, and raise the widow’s son from death (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 7:11-17).
Peter’s answer
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).
There are two important things in this answer. First, Peter said that Jesus is “the Christ”, that is, the King God had promised long ago, and “the Son of the living God”. Second, Jesus said that this understanding did not come from Peter’s cleverness or from what people said, but that God had revealed it to him. In other words, knowing Jesus is a gift from God. So if you have not yet reached an answer, you can ask God himself to show you the truth.
Why was the Gospel written?
Near the end of John’s Gospel we find a sentence that explains why everything we have read was written: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
John does not hide his purpose: he wrote so that we may believe, and so that we may have life. The aim is not new information to add to what we already know, but life we receive from Jesus himself.
So the answer to Jesus' question is not just a correct opinion to memorise. You can know every fact about someone and still not know them. The life John speaks of is to know Jesus himself, to trust him, and to walk with him day after day. Knowing the truth about him is the beginning of that road, not its end.
A little before these verses, John tells the story of Thomas, the disciple who said he would not believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the mark of the nails in his hands and put his hand into his side (see John 20:24-25). Jesus did not send him away for doubting. He came to him eight days later and invited him to see and touch (see John 20:26-27). Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). If you have questions and doubts, you are not the first to carry them, and Jesus does not turn away anyone who asks him honestly.
No rush and no pressure
At the end of this course you may feel ready to say with Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Or you may feel you still need time and have more questions. Both are fine. God does not ask you for memorised words, but for an honest heart that seeks him.
The Jesus who asked this question is the same Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We are preparing further courses on this path about the meaning of the cross, repentance and faith, and how God saves people by his grace. Until they are published, you can reread the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John at your own pace.
A final word for your safety: your answer to this question is first a matter between you and God. Do not rush to tell anyone what you are thinking before you have prayed and before you have spoken with someone trustworthy. If you would like to write to us with a question you still have, first read the “Your Safety First” page to learn how to get in touch carefully, then write to us from the contact page. A pseudonym is enough; we do not ask for your real name, your city or your phone number. A small team from the church reads the messages and replies from God's Word when they can, and replies may take some time.
Did you understand?
Think about the answer first, then tap the question to see a suggested answer.
1. What did the disciples answer when Jesus asked them, “Who do people say that I am?”
They said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14).
2. What did Peter say about Jesus? And according to Jesus, where did this understanding come from?
He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” And Jesus said that flesh and blood had not revealed this to him, but his Father who is in heaven (Matthew 16:16-17).
3. Why was John's Gospel written, according to John 20:31?
So that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name.
Reflect and apply
- Go back to the sentence you wrote in the first lesson about your picture of Jesus. What has changed in it, even a little?
- How would you answer, in your own words, the question: “But who do you say that I am?” It is fine if your answer is: I am still searching.
- What question about Jesus do you still have that you have not yet found an answer to?
Answer in your heart or somewhere no one else can see. We do not ask you to send your answers to anyone.
Assignment
To complete the week two task: finish reading John 1 and John 20, and memorise John 20:31.
Then set aside a quiet time when you are alone, and answer Jesus' question in your heart: who do you say that I am? If you write anything down, write it somewhere no one else can see.
Closing prayer
God, I have heard Jesus' question: “But who do you say that I am?” I want to answer honestly, not with other people's words or out of fear of them. As you revealed to Peter who Jesus is, reveal the truth to me too. And if I have doubts like Thomas, come to me as you came to him. I want to have life in his name. Amen.
You can pray these words in your heart if they express what is in it, or pray in your own words.
Short quiz
Test yourself. Your answers are checked on your device only; they are not sent anywhere and not saved.
Next Step
With this lesson you complete the “Who Is Jesus?” course. The next course on this path is “Why the Cross?”, which is being prepared. Until it is published, you can reread the whole Gospel of Mark at your own pace. And if you still have a question about Jesus you have not found an answer to, read the safety page on the site to learn how to get in touch with us carefully.
Certificate of Completion
The holder of this certificate has completed the course “Who Is Jesus?” in the “I Want to Know Christ” track, reading, reflecting on and answering its questions.
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)
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