Matthew 16:15 kjv
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:15 nkjv
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16:15 niv
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Matthew 16:15 esv
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16:15 nlt
Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?"
Matthew 16 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 16:13 | "When Jesus came... he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'" | Immediate preceding question setting the scene. |
| Mt 16:16 | "Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" | Peter's direct answer to this very question. |
| Jn 6:67-69 | "Jesus asked the Twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...'" | Similar question to disciples after many leave. |
| Mk 8:27-29 | "And Jesus asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that I am?' And they told him... And he asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?'" | Mark's parallel account of the same pivotal moment. |
| Lk 9:18-20 | "And he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' And they answered... 'But who do you say that I am?'" | Luke's parallel account emphasizing the question. |
| Jn 1:49 | "Nathanael answered him, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'" | Early confession of Jesus' identity by a disciple. |
| Acts 8:36-37 | "Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he replied, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'" | Confession of faith required for baptism. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." | Importance of confessing Jesus as Lord for salvation. |
| 1 Jn 4:15 | "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." | Divine indwelling linked to confession of Christ's sonship. |
| 1 Cor 12:3 | "...no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit." | Divine inspiration needed for true confession. |
| Heb 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." | Holding firm to the confession of Jesus as High Priest. |
| 2 Jn 1:7 | "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh." | Importance of acknowledging Christ's incarnation. |
| Phlp 2:10-11 | "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." | Universal future confession of Jesus as Lord. |
| Mt 10:32-33 | "So everyone who confesses me before men, I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven..." | Consequences of confessing or denying Jesus before men. |
| Jn 14:6 | "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" | Jesus' self-identification as the unique path to God. |
| Col 1:15 | "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." | Description of Jesus' divine nature and preeminence. |
| Is 40:18 | "To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?" | Echoes the impossibility of human comparison, emphasizing unique divine identity. |
| Ps 8:4-5 | "what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings..." | Connects to the title "Son of Man," highlighting His dual nature. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | Witness to Jesus' true identity as the incarnate Word. |
| Mt 11:27 | "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son..." | Unique relationship between Father and Son, implying true knowledge comes through revelation. |
Matthew 16 verses
Matthew 16 15 Meaning
This verse presents a pivotal question from Jesus to His disciples, shifting the focus from public perception of His identity to their personal understanding and confession. It demands a distinct and internal revelation of who He is, forming the foundation for their faith and discipleship. The question separates casual observation from committed conviction, revealing the deepest truth about Jesus' divine nature and mission.
Matthew 16 15 Context
This verse is located at a critical turning point in Jesus' ministry, occurring after His withdrawal to the region of Caesarea Philippi, a place steeped in pagan worship. This setting, far from the bustling crowds of Galilee, provides a private, intimate space for Jesus to pose a foundational question to His disciples. The preceding verse (Matt 16:13) reveals that public opinion about Jesus was varied and incomplete, ranging from John the Baptist to Elijah or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Against this backdrop of popular, but superficial, understanding, Jesus pivots to directly challenge His closest followers. This question, "But who do you say that I am?", marks the moment when discipleship moves from observing a powerful teacher to personally acknowledging His true, unique identity as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, as Peter confesses in the subsequent verse (Matt 16:16). This revelation is critical before Jesus begins to explicitly teach about His coming suffering and death (Matt 16:21), implying that understanding His divine person is necessary to grasp His divine mission.
Matthew 16 15 Word analysis
- He said (ἔλεγεν - elegen): The Greek verb is in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing or repeated action, or a deliberate, purposeful utterance. It signifies a significant moment, a definitive question put forth by Jesus to His inner circle.
- to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers specifically to the disciples, distinguishing them from the general public previously discussed. The question is personal and directed at those who had spent significant time with Him.
- But (δὲ - de): This is a strong contrast particle. It emphatically shifts the focus from the varied and inadequate popular opinions (who "people say" I am) to the crucial and personal conviction of the disciples (who "you" say I am). It highlights the divergence between external observation and internal, divinely-revealed truth.
- who (τίνα - tina): An interrogative pronoun, not merely asking what Jesus does or what office He holds, but who He is in His very being and essence. It probes His identity at its deepest level—His divine nature.
- do you say (ὑμεῖς λέγετε - hymeis legete): The pronoun "you" (ὑμεῖς) is emphatic in the Greek, underscoring the personal, direct challenge to the disciples. It stands in direct contrast to "the crowds" or "men" previously mentioned. The verb "say" is in the present tense, indicating a present, ongoing confession and belief. It demands not just intellectual assent but a lived understanding.
- that I am? (εἶναί με - einai me): This phrase concludes the question, focusing on Jesus' absolute existence and unique person. It mirrors the Old Testament declarations of God's self-existence (Ex 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM") and implicitly challenges the disciples to recognize His unique divine nature. It’s a question about ultimate truth concerning His very being.
Words-group analysis
- "He said to them, 'But...'": This transition is crucial. Jesus deliberately moves from inquiring about popular beliefs to a deeply personal and convicting interrogation directed at those closest to Him. The 'but' marks a pivot point demanding personal allegiance and understanding beyond mere observation.
- "...who do you say that I am?": This complete clause encapsulates the core challenge of the verse. It's not a superficial inquiry about Jesus' role or teachings but a demand for a declaration of His true essence and identity. The emphasis on "you" makes it a deeply individual and foundational question for discipleship, requiring not just factual knowledge but spiritual discernment and personal confession.
Matthew 16 15 Bonus section
This pivotal question highlights the distinction between a 'head knowledge' based on rumor or superficial observation and a 'heart knowledge' or spiritual revelation. It's a template for personal examination for every believer across generations: who is Jesus to me? The answer shapes one's entire understanding of salvation, the church, and personal life. Furthermore, this interrogation demonstrates Jesus' intention to build His church not on the fluctuating sands of public opinion but on the solid foundation of true confession of His divine Lordship and Messianic identity, revealed supernaturally rather than deduced rationally. The specific context of Caesarea Philippi, a site known for a large rock formation and pagan shrines dedicated to pan and Caesar worship, could subtly underscore the contrast between transient human worship and the eternal "rock" upon which Christ would build His everlasting kingdom.
Matthew 16 15 Commentary
Matthew 16:15 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing Jesus' strategic move from teaching the masses to focusing on the theological understanding of His core disciples. The prior inquiry about public opinion established that, despite His miracles and teachings, most people held an incomplete or even incorrect view of Him. The subsequent question, "But who do you say that I am?", transcends intellectual curiosity and demands a personal, revelatory answer. It tests the depth of their understanding and commitment. This question is fundamental for several reasons: it forces the disciples to articulate their conviction; it reveals whether their faith is rooted in divine revelation or popular opinion; and it lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus' future suffering, which would be nonsensical without prior knowledge of His divine person. It serves as a diagnostic tool for genuine faith and understanding within His inner circle, highlighting that true discipleship is built upon a profound, personal knowledge of Christ's identity, revealed by the Father, as confirmed by Peter's confession that follows.