Meaning of Luke 9:20

This pivotal question from Jesus, "But who do you say I am?", posed to his disciples after a period of observing his ministry and hearing the opinions of others, elicits a profound confession from Peter. Peter's response, "God's Messiah," is not merely a statement of belief but a declaration of Jesus' unique identity and divine mission. It signifies Peter's recognition of Jesus as the long-awaited Anointed One prophesied in the Old Testament, the one sent by God to redeem humanity. This moment is a turning point, marking a clear articulation of the core of Christian faith and setting the stage for Jesus to reveal the full implications of his messianic role, including his impending suffering and death.

Context and Background

Jesus had just fed the five thousand, a miraculous event that sparked widespread speculation about his identity. Some thought he was Elijah, others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets returned to life (Luke 9:7-8). Jesus then privately questioned his inner circle, the twelve disciples, about what they had learned and concluded. This private interrogation was crucial for solidifying their understanding of his person before he began to explicitly teach them about his suffering, death, and resurrection, which was a radical departure from the popular messianic expectations of the time. Peter, often depicted as the spokesman for the disciples, steps forward with this definitive assertion.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Identity of Jesus: The central theme is the identification of Jesus. Peter's confession moves beyond popular opinion to a theological understanding of Jesus as the Christos (Messiah), the divinely appointed King and Savior.
• Discipleship and Faith: This verse highlights the process of discipleship, which involves observing, questioning, and ultimately confessing faith. Peter's confession represents a mature step in the disciples' journey of faith.
• Divine Revelation: The confession is presented as a revelation, not just human deduction. Later, Jesus tells Peter, "This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (Matthew 16:17), emphasizing the supernatural origin of such understanding.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Peter's confession is the foundational statement of Christian belief. It means that Jesus is not just a good teacher or a prophet, but the fulfillment of God's promises. For believers today, this verse calls for a personal confession of faith. It challenges individuals to move beyond simply knowing about Jesus to confessing who Jesus is to them and to commit their lives to him as the Messiah. This confession is the gateway to understanding the full scope of his redemptive work and to living as his disciple.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This confession is the climax of Old Testament anticipation. The prophecies of the Messiah—the descendant of David who would reign eternally, the suffering servant who would bear the sins of the people—find their fulfillment in Jesus. Peter's declaration bridges the Old and New Testaments, affirming that Jesus is the culmination of God's covenantal plan for salvation. His messiahship is the lens through which all of God's prior promises are understood.

Analogies

• The Cornerstone: Imagine building a house. The cornerstone is the most important stone, upon which the entire structure rests and is aligned. Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah is the cornerstone of the Christian faith; without it, the church has no foundation.
• The Key to a Lock: A key unlocks a door, granting access to what lies beyond. Peter's confession unlocks the understanding of Jesus' purpose and the path to salvation offered through him.

Relation to Other Verses

• Old Testament Prophecies: Isaiah 9:6-7 ("For to us a child is born...") and Daniel 9:25-26 ("Know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed one, a ruler, comes...") foreshadow the coming of the Messiah. Peter's confession directly aligns with these prophecies.
• Jesus' Own Questions: Jesus asks this question, echoing his ongoing inquiry into his disciples' perception of him.
• Matthew 16:16: This parallel passage in Matthew explicitly records Peter's confession as "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): After his resurrection, Jesus, now revealed as the Messiah and King, commissions his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them. This commission is predicated on his established identity as the Messiah.