He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
He had never pressed this question before, but now the crisis demands it. Three years I have sought fruit on this fig tree. I am called John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias, one of the prophets. Yet some have beheld My glory, the glory of the Only-begotten of the Father, and their voice is sweet to Me.
AI summary
He bypasses the world's confused opinions entirely and asks His disciples alone: what do you say I am? You have heard My discourses, witnessed My miracles, will teach others My Gospel. For you it is not enough to believe in Me; you must confess Me openly. Those who have sat long under Gospel ministry and claim to know Christ ought to have no hesitation, no doubt lingering in their minds, but be ready to declare plainly what they know and believe of His person and office.
AI summary
Christ asked not what the hostile scribes and Pharisees said of Him, but what common people believed. When ministers lose their public pulpit, they must labor harder in private conversation with their own household, for every season of diminished public work is opportunity for deeper family instruction.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 16:13-20