Luke 9:18

18 And it was done, when he was alone praying, his disciples were with him, and he asked them, and said [saying], Whom say the people that I am?

Luke 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:18

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying
To his God and Father, for himself as man, and mediator; for the success of his Gospel, and the increase of his interest; and for his disciples, that they might have a clearer revelation of him; and which they had, as appears in their after confession of him by Peter, as the mouth of them all. The place where he now retired for private devotion, was somewhere in the coasts of Caesarea Philippi; for he was now gone from the desert of Bethsaida, as appears from ( Matthew 16:13 ) and when he is said to be alone, the meaning is, that he was retired from the multitude, but not from his disciples; for it follows,

his disciples were with him,
in this solitary place:

and he asked them,
being with them alone;

saying, Whom say the people that I am?
what are the sentiments of the common people, or of the people in general concerning me? The Alexandrian copy, and the Arabic version read, "men", as in ( Matthew 16:13 ) . (See Gill on Matthew 16:13).

Luke 9:18 In-Context

16 And when he had taken the five loaves and two fishes, he beheld into heaven, and blessed them, and brake, and dealed to his disciples, that they should set before the companies.

17 And all men ate, and were full-filled [and were filled]; and that that (was) left to them of broken meats was taken up, twelve baskets [twelve coffins].

18 And it was done, when he was alone praying, his disciples were with him, and he asked them, and said [saying], Whom say the people that I am?

19 And they answered, and said, John Baptist, others say Elias, and others say, one prophet of the former is risen [but others say, for one prophet of the former hath risen].

20 And he said to them, But whom say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered, and said, The Christ of God [Simon Peter answering said, The Christ of God].