Jesus Asks for Your Own Answer
Welcome to Day 2 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we listen to the words Jesus said. The main truth for today is this: Jesus asks each person to answer who he is, rather than rely on public opinion. Let’s begin.
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Jesus in Action
Matthew 16:13–17
Step 2 of 5
Tángá maloba mpenza oyo Yesu alobaki.
Tango Yesu akomaki na etuka ya Sezarea ya Filipo, atunaki bayekoli na Ye : — Bato balobaka ete Mwana na Moto azali nani ? Bazongisaki : — Bamoko balobaka ete ozali Yoane Mobatisi ; bamosusu, Eliya ; mpe bamosusu lisusu, Jeremi to moko kati na basakoli. Yesu atunaki bango lisusu : — Bongo bino, bolobaka ete Ngai nazali nani ? Simona Petelo azongisaki : — Ozali Masiya, Mwana na Nzambe na bomoi. Yesu alobaki na ye : — Esengo na yo Simona, mwana mobali ya Yona ! Pamba te ezali moto te nde ayebisi yo makambo oyo, kasi Tata na Ngai, oyo azali kati na Likolo.
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Matthew 16:13–17 records a conversation between Jesus and his disciples.
Watch: Listen to the Question.
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Jesus Asks What People Say.
Jesus and his disciples came to the region of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” “Son of Man” is a title Jesus often used for himself. The disciples knew Jesus was asking about himself.
The Disciples Report the Answers.
The disciples said, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” The disciples named four answers. Each answer named a man from Israel’s past. The prophet Malachi had said Elijah would come before the day of the Lord. This is written in Malachi 4:5. The people gave different answers. They did not agree about who Jesus is.
Jesus Asks the Disciples.
Then Jesus asked a second question. He said, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” The word “you” makes the question personal. The first question was about other people. The second question was about the disciples themselves.
Peter Answers.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” “Messiah” means “Anointed One.” In the Hebrew Scriptures, God promised to send a king from David’s family. This king would save God’s people. Peter said Jesus is this king. Peter also called Jesus the Son of the living God. This title shows that Jesus has a special relationship with God the Father.
Jesus Says the Father Showed This to Peter.
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Jesus said Peter was blessed. Jesus said the truth did not come from “flesh and blood.” This phrase means a human source. God the Father showed Peter who Jesus is. Jesus called God “my Father.” This matches what Peter said. Peter called Jesus the Son of the living God. Jesus called God his Father.
How the Conversation Fits Together.
The passage has four parts. First, Jesus asked what other people said. Second, the disciples gave different answers. Third, Jesus asked what the disciples themselves said. Fourth, Peter answered, and Jesus explained where Peter’s answer came from. Each question moved the conversation from other people to the disciples. Each answer led to the next question.
This is the Listen step in the Jesus365 Journey. Here we look closely at what the words say. The next step, Discover, asks what the passage shows about Jesus.
Kanisa na likambo oyo.
Whose description of Jesus has most influenced you—and have you tested that description against Jesus’ own words?
Listen closely
Read Matthew 16:13–17 slowly and notice the movement from “people” to “you.” Let Jesus address you personally.
What This Means for Your Life.
It is easy to keep Jesus at a safe distance by admiring Him in general terms. Many people are comfortable calling Him wise, sincere, or spiritually important. But in Matthew 16:13–17, Jesus does not leave the question at public opinion. He presses for a personal answer: who is He to you?
That matters because if Jesus is only one voice among many, you can filter Him like any other teacher. But if He is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, then His words about sin, forgiveness, eternal life, judgment, His death, and His resurrection deserve a response, not just appreciation.
One way to respond today is to read Matthew 16:13–17 slowly and write down the main ideas you have inherited about Jesus from family, culture, or past religious experience. Then compare those ideas with what Jesus actually says in the Gospels. You do not have to force a quick conclusion—but you can be honest about whether you are hearing the crowd or hearing Him.
Reflection question: If Jesus asked you, “Who do you say that I am?” what would you answer right now, and what would that answer require of you?
