Luke 9:20 kjv
He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
Luke 9:20 nkjv
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."
Luke 9:20 niv
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah."
Luke 9:20 esv
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Luke 9:20 nlt
Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God!"
Luke 9 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 16:16 | Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." | Parallel, adds "Son of the living God" |
| Mk 8:29 | "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." | Parallel, shorter confession |
| Jn 6:69 | We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. | Peter's similar confession after others leave |
| Acts 2:36 | "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." | Apostolic preaching of Jesus as Christ |
| Acts 4:10-12 | "...it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead..." | Peter affirming Christ's identity and power |
| 1 Jn 5:1 | Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... | Belief in Christ as foundation of faith |
| Rom 10:9 | If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | Confession of Jesus' identity for salvation |
| Phil 2:10-11 | ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord... | Universal confession of Jesus' lordship |
| Isa 9:6 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. | Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah |
| Jer 23:5-6 | "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior." | Prophecy of Messiah as Davidic king |
| Eze 34:23 | I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. | Prophecy of Davidic Messiah as Shepherd |
| Dan 7:13-14 | "...one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... his dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away..." | Prophecy of Son of Man (Messianic figure) |
| Psa 2:2 | The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. | Prophecy of Messiah ("Anointed One") |
| Psa 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." | Davidic prophecy pointing to the Messiah's divine authority |
| Mt 16:17 | Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." | Divine revelation for true confession |
| 1 Cor 12:3 | ...no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. | Spirit's role in acknowledging Jesus |
| Lk 4:41 | Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them... | Demonic recognition of Jesus' divine identity |
| Jn 1:49 | Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." | Early disciples' confession |
| Lk 24:26 | Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? | Post-resurrection understanding of Messiah's suffering |
| Heb 1:8 | But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever..." | Heavenly Father's testimony to the Son |
| Jn 20:31 | But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God... | Purpose of Gospel: belief in Christ's identity |
| Col 2:2-3 | My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. | Christ as the revelation of God's mystery |
Luke 9 verses
Luke 9 20 Meaning
Luke 9:20 presents a pivotal moment where Jesus shifts from querying the public's perception of Him to asking His disciples directly for their personal understanding of His identity. Peter's bold response, "The Christ of God," represents a divinely-inspired recognition of Jesus as the long-awaited Anointed One, the Messiah appointed by God. This confession distinguishes Him from a mere prophet or religious teacher, establishing His unique redemptive role.
Luke 9 20 Context
Luke 9:20 occurs immediately after Jesus has queried the general public's opinion of Him, which yielded varied but incomplete answers (some thought John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others a resurrected ancient prophet). This personal question to the disciples signals a turning point in Luke's narrative. It moves beyond the crowd's superficial understanding to the intimate and crucial revelation to His closest followers. This conversation takes place in Caesarea Philippi, a Gentile region known for pagan worship, a significant backdrop for such a profound declaration of Christ's singular identity. The disciples' confession here sets the stage for Jesus's first clear prophecy of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Lk 9:22), and His subsequent teaching on true discipleship, which involves self-denial and cross-bearing (Lk 9:23).
Luke 9 20 Word analysis
- He said: This simple verb indicates Jesus's deliberate initiation of this critical conversation, controlling the flow of the discussion and focusing it personally on the disciples.
- to them: Addressed specifically to His twelve disciples, indicating this knowledge and confession is reserved for His close followers, moving beyond public perception.
- But: (Greek: δέ - de) This conjunction indicates a contrast or transition. It contrasts the previous general inquiry about public opinion with the personal, decisive question directed to His own disciples. It marks a shift from what others say to what they themselves believe.
- who do you say: (Greek: ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε - hymeis de tina me legete). The emphatic "you" (hymeis) highlights the personal nature of the inquiry. Jesus demands a confession of personal conviction, not hearsay. It is a direct challenge to their faith and understanding gained from walking with Him.
- that I am?: This focuses on Jesus's essential being and nature (His identity) rather than His works or teachings alone. It requires a statement about who He is, not just what He does.
- Peter answered: Simon Peter, as often, speaks on behalf of the disciples, demonstrating his characteristic impulsiveness but also spiritual discernment at key moments. His role as a leader and spokesman among the apostles is affirmed.
- The Christ: (Greek: Ὁ Χριστὸς - Ho Christos). This is not a proper name but a title, "The Anointed One," corresponding to the Hebrew "Messiah." It signifies His divinely appointed office and role as the long-foretold deliverer, king, and savior, marked by sacred anointing. Peter’s statement acknowledges Jesus as the singular, ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming deliverer.
- of God: (Greek: τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou). This critical genitive phrase clarifies the origin and nature of Jesus’s Messiahship. It indicates that Jesus is God's Anointed One, appointed, empowered, and sent by God Himself. This distinguishes His Messiahship from any merely human, political, or nationalistic hopes for a king. His authority and mission stem directly from the divine.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "But who do you say that I am?": This powerful question is the fulcrum of discipleship. It demands personal revelation and conviction beyond intellectual knowledge or societal opinion. It's a call to examine the depth of one's relationship and understanding of Jesus.
- "The Christ of God": This phrase combines the Jewish messianic expectation with a distinct divine authorization. It grounds Jesus's messianic claim not in human ambition or political power, but in God's eternal plan and anointing, laying the theological groundwork for a spiritual rather than political kingdom.
Luke 9 20 Bonus section
- The question Jesus poses to His disciples functions as a catechism moment, evaluating their growth in understanding His divine person and mission after a period of intense ministry with Him.
- Peter’s confession "The Christ of God" aligns Jesus with Old Testament messianic prophecies, fulfilling a long-standing divine promise. However, Jesus's subsequent teachings would radically redefine what being "Christ" would mean: not merely a victorious king, but a suffering servant who would give His life as a ransom. This deeper understanding was a future revelation for the disciples.
- The fact that this confession occurs in Caesarea Philippi, a site dedicated to pagan worship and the deification of Roman emperors, sharply contrasts the false gods and human claims to divinity with the disciples' divinely-inspired recognition of Jesus as the one true Anointed One from God. It highlights the singularity of Christ’s identity in a multi-god environment.
Luke 9 20 Commentary
Luke 9:20 is a pivotal scene because it moves beyond speculative opinion about Jesus and forces the disciples, particularly Peter, to articulate a confession of His true identity. The question "But who do you say that I am?" is critical for every believer. It necessitates a personal and Spirit-led understanding of Jesus as the Anointed One of God, a divine revelation rather than a mere human conclusion. Peter's declaration, "The Christ of God," marks the point at which the disciples acknowledge Jesus not just as a great prophet or teacher, but as the promised Messiah with divine appointment. This understanding, though initially imperfect for the disciples (as evidenced by their struggle with Jesus’s subsequent teachings about suffering), is foundational. It solidifies Jesus's divine role and foreshadows His ultimate mission. This confession empowers true discipleship, laying the groundwork for personal faith, worship, and obedient service.