Matthew 16:15

15 He said to them, "But who do you say [that] I am?"

Matthew 16:15 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 16:15

He saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am?]
Without taking any further notice, or making any reflections on the different sentiments of men concerning him, he put this question to his disciples, and which is what he had chiefly in view, that he might have their sense of him; and which he puts in a different form, and leaves out the phrase, the son of man, because they knew he was more than a man: nor was his mean appearance an offence to them; they had believed in him, became his disciples, and were followers of him: but it was not enough to believe in him, they must confess him; both are necessary: therefore he does not say, whom believe ye, but whom say ye that I am? You who have been with me so long from the beginning; you who have heard so many discourses from me, and have seen so many miracles wrought by me; and who are to be the teachers of others, to preach my Gospel, and publish my salvation to Jews and Gentiles, what have you to say of me? Whom do you say I am? as for those men, it is no great matter who they say I am; but of great moment and consequence are your sense and confession of me. Such who have long sat under a Gospel ministry, or who have been long in the church and school of Christ, it is expected of them, that they should know more of Christ than others; and should be come to a point about his person and office, and be ready to make a confession of their faith, and give a reason of their hope in him; and especially such who are, or are to be preachers of Christ to others: these ought to be well acquainted with him, who, and what he is; they should have no doubt, nor hesitation in their minds, about him, but be fully satisfied concerning him; and be free, and open, and ready to declare what they know and believe of him.

Matthew 16:15 In-Context

13 Now [when] Jesus came to the region of Caesarea {Philippi}, he began asking his disciples, saying, "Who do people say [that] the Son of Man is?"

14 And they said, {Some} [say] John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 He said to them, "But who do you say [that] I am?"

16 And Simon Peter answered [and] said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!"

17 And Jesus answered [and] said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but my Father [who is] in heaven.