Unexpected Insights on Why Jesus Asked Whom Do Men Say that I Am?

Keywords

Jesus’s identity, scriptural context, geographical significance

Abstract

During His Galilean ministry, Jesus had this compelling and instructive exchange with His disciples.

“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”  (Matthew 16:13-20)

We are so familiar with this powerful teaching moment that we may miss where this conversation happened and why location was crucial to the teaching moment.

When we read the text of the scripture, context is essential!  (Context literally means, that which goes along with the text.)

Original Publication Citation

Unexpected Insights on Why Jesus Asked “Whom Do Men Say that I Am?”, April 1, 2019.

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2019

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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