Peter’s Confession (Luke 9:18–20)
Introduction to Peter’s Confession in Luke 9:18–20
In this pivotal passage, we find one of the most crucial moments in the Gospel of Luke. Peter’s confession, “The Messiah of God” (Luke 9:20), marks a defining point in the disciples’ understanding of Jesus. It’s a moment of clarity, but also of tension. While the disciples recognize Jesus as the Messiah, their understanding of what that truly means is still incomplete. This passage invites us to reflect on how we, too, come to know and understand Jesus—not just as a figure of history, but as the living Lord with a mission far beyond our expectations.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 9:18–20 and Commentary
Luke 9:18 – Who do the crowds say I am?
“Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’”
This opening verse is noteworthy for two reasons: the setting and the question Jesus asks. First, we see Jesus praying alone. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, prayer is a significant theme, highlighting the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father. In moments of deep decision or revelation, Jesus often retreats to pray. Here, Jesus’ prayerful solitude may suggest that this moment of questioning is part of a larger spiritual process. He’s not only guiding the disciples but also preparing them for what is to come.
Jesus then asks the disciples a question: “Who do the crowds say that I am?” This question is not merely a formality; it’s a way of gauging the popular understanding of his identity. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, people have had various opinions about him. Some see him as a prophet, others as a teacher, and some even as a political figure. By asking this, Jesus is encouraging the disciples to think critically about the way people perceive him and, ultimately, to contrast these opinions with their own understanding.
Luke 9:19 – They Answered John the Baptist . . .
“They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
The disciples’ response reflects the prevailing views of Jesus during his time. Some people believed Jesus was John the Baptist returned from the dead, while others thought he was Elijah or one of the other great prophets of old. These responses are significant because they reflect the expectations of the Jewish people concerning the coming of the Messiah. In their minds, the Messiah would be a powerful figure, perhaps a prophet like Elijah who would announce God’s final redemption.
These answers show that while there was a general awareness of Jesus’ power and authority, many still didn’t fully grasp his true nature. He was seen as a prophet, but not as the Messiah who would bring salvation in a deeper, more comprehensive way. This recognition of Jesus as a prophet is important because it sets the stage for the next question—one that forces the disciples to confront their own understanding of who Jesus truly is.
Luke 9:20 – Who do you say that I am?
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’”
Now, the question becomes personal. Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” This is no longer a question about public opinion but a call for personal conviction. Jesus wants to know if the disciples, who have followed him closely, have begun to understand who he is. Peter, always quick to speak, responds with a clear and direct declaration: “The Messiah of God.”
Peter’s confession is profound. He acknowledges Jesus not merely as a prophet, but as the long-awaited Messiah, the anointed one of God. In this moment, Peter is expressing a deep recognition of Jesus’ divine identity. He’s proclaiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel, the one who will bring salvation to God’s people.
However, Peter’s confession, while accurate, is still incomplete. The disciples, like the rest of Israel, had expectations of a Messiah who would bring political and military victory, one who would overthrow the oppressive Roman rule. But the Messiah’s true mission is far more profound, involving suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s confession is significant, but it is also the beginning of a deeper journey of understanding for him and for all the disciples.
The Messianic Confession and Its Significance
Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah is a turning point in Luke’s Gospel. Up until this moment, Jesus has been revealing himself gradually through his words and actions, from his teachings to his miracles. This confession marks the point where the disciples finally recognize him as the Messiah, but it also sets the stage for the next phase of their understanding.
The title “Messiah” holds great significance, especially in the Jewish context. The Messiah was expected to be a deliverer, a king who would restore Israel’s glory and reign over the nations. However, the reality of Jesus’ mission as the Messiah would challenge these expectations. Jesus would not establish his Kingdom through military power or political might but through sacrificial love and service.
Peter’s confession is not just a moment of clarity but also a moment of tension. As the disciples begin to recognize Jesus’ identity, they are also forced to confront the discrepancy between their expectations and the reality of Jesus’ mission. This tension will only deepen as Jesus begins to speak more openly about his suffering and death in the chapters that follow.
Connections to Other Passages in Luke
The themes of Peter’s confession echo throughout the earlier chapters of Luke. For example, in the Prologue and Infancy Narratives (Luke 1:1–2:52), we see prophecies and declarations about Jesus’ identity that foreshadow this moment. From the angelic announcements of his birth to Zechariah’s Benedictus (1:67–80), there is a clear recognition that Jesus is the Messiah, the one who will bring salvation to Israel and the world. However, even in these early chapters, the full scope of his mission remains unclear, just as it does for the disciples in this passage.
In The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1–13), we see Jesus tested in the wilderness, where he faces the temptation to take shortcuts to power and glory. The devil offers him political rule and authority, but Jesus rejects these temptations, revealing that his mission is not one of earthly domination. This passage helps us understand why Peter’s confession is both accurate and incomplete—Peter sees Jesus as the Messiah, but he has yet to fully grasp the nature of Jesus’ Kingdom.
Moreover, in Jesus Calms a Storm (Luke 8:22–25), the disciples witness Jesus’ power over nature, yet they remain afraid and unsure of who he is. Jesus asks them, “Where is your faith?” It is clear that while they have seen his miraculous power, they are still struggling to understand the full depth of his identity. Peter’s confession in Luke 9:20 represents a step forward in their understanding, but the journey is far from over.
Meaning for Today
Peter’s confession is more than just a historical moment—it has profound implications for our own faith today. Just as the disciples had to come to terms with who Jesus truly is, we too must recognize him as the Messiah, not just a teacher or moral leader but as the Savior who came to give his life for us.
Yet, like Peter, our understanding of Jesus is often incomplete. We may grasp part of who Jesus is, but we are constantly challenged to deepen our understanding of his mission and the Kingdom he came to establish. Jesus is not a Messiah who conforms to our expectations, but one who calls us to lay down our own agendas and follow him on a path of self-sacrifice and service.
As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to consider: Who do we say Jesus is? Is he the Messiah, the anointed one of God, who has come to redeem and restore us? And do we understand that his Kingdom is not of this world, that his mission involves both suffering and glory? Like Peter, we may be quick to confess Jesus as Lord, but are we ready to follow him on the path he has set before us, even when it challenges our assumptions and expectations?
In a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents Jesus, we are called to make our own confession, to declare with Peter that Jesus is the Messiah of God. And as we do, we are also called to live out that confession with our lives, embodying the radical love and sacrificial service that Jesus demonstrated throughout his ministry. The journey of understanding who Jesus is continues, and it’s a journey that leads to deeper faith, greater trust, and a fuller participation in the Kingdom he came to establish.
FAQ
1. What is the significance of Peter’s confession in Luke 9:18-20?
Peter’s confession, where he declares Jesus as “The Messiah of God,” marks a turning point in the Gospel of Luke. It highlights the disciples’ growing recognition of Jesus’ true identity. However, while Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, their understanding of what that truly means will continue to evolve as they journey with him.
2. Why does Jesus ask, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
By asking this question, Jesus prompts the disciples to reflect on the varying opinions people have about him. This helps set the stage for the more personal question, “Who do you say that I am?” which leads to Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah, revealing the disciples’ deeper understanding of his identity
3. How does this passage connect to other parts of Luke?
Peter’s confession ties back to earlier moments in Luke, such as the angelic announcements in the infancy narratives (Luke 1:1-2:52) and Jesus’ rejection of worldly power in the temptation narrative (Luke 4:1-13). These moments prepare both the disciples and the reader for the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and the complexities of his mission.
4. What does Peter’s confession mean for Christians today?
Peter’s confession invites us to ask ourselves, “Who do we say Jesus is?” It challenges us to recognize Jesus not just as a moral teacher but as the Messiah who came to redeem us. This passage calls us to deeper faith and trust in Jesus, even as we wrestle with the full implications of his mission and the nature of his Kingdom.
