Matthew 16:15
New International Version
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

New Living Translation
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

English Standard Version
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Berean Standard Bible
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Berean Literal Bible
He says to them, “But you⁺, who do you⁺ say I am?”

King James Bible
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

New King James Version
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

New American Standard Bible
He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?”

NASB 1995
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

NASB 1977
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Legacy Standard Bible
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Amplified Bible
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Berean Annotated Bible
“But what about you⁺? Jesus asked. “Who do you⁺ say I am?

Christian Standard Bible
“But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

American Standard Version
He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus asked, "But who do you say I am?"

English Revised Version
He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

Good News Translation
"What about you?" he asked them. "Who do you say I am?"

International Standard Version
He asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

NET Bible
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Webster's Bible Translation
He saith to them, But who say ye that I am?

Weymouth New Testament
"But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

World English Bible
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He says to them, “And you—who do you say I am?”

Berean Literal Bible
He says to them, “But you⁺, who do you⁺ say I am?”

Young's Literal Translation
He saith to them, 'And ye -- who do ye say me to be?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he says to them, But whom say ye me to be?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

New American Bible
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He said to them, Who do you say that I am?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But he said to them, “Who is it you say that I am?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He said to them: But who say you that I am?

Godbey New Testament
And He says to them, But whom do you say that I am?

Haweis New Testament
He saith unto them, But who do ye say that I am?

Mace New Testament
but what, said he, do you take me to be?

Weymouth New Testament
"But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again.

Worrell New Testament
And He saith to them, "But who do ye say that I am?"

Worsley New Testament
But, saith He unto them, whom do ye say that I am?

Additional Translations ...



Context
Peter's Confession of Christ
14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”…

Cross References
“But what about you?”

John 6:67
So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”

John 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Jesus asked.

Mark 8:27
Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?”

Luke 9:18
One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”

John 9:35
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, He found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who do you say I am?”

Mark 8:29
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

Luke 9:20
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

John 11:27
“Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 20:28
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

Acts 2:36
Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

Acts 8:37
And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 John 4:15
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 5:5
Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Treasury of Scripture

He said to them, But whom say you that I am?

But.

Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mark 8:29
And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

Luke 9:20
He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

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Matthew 16
1. The Pharisees require a sign.
5. Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13. The people's opinion of Jesus,
16. and Peter's confession of him.
21. Jesus foretells his death;
23. reproves Peter for dissuading him from it;
24. and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.












“But what about you?”

After hearing the crowds identify Him with John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet, Jesus turned to the disciples. They had traveled with Him, heard His teaching, and witnessed His works, so they could not remain content with public speculation.

Jhn 6:67 So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
Jhn 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?…

Jesus asked.

He drew them from repeating the opinions of others to stating their own conviction. Their answer would reveal whether they understood the significance of all they had seen.

Mrk 8:27 Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages…
Luk 9:18 One day, while Jesus was praying in private, the disciples…
Jhn 9:35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,…

“Who do you say I am?”

The question centers on Jesus’ true identity and mission. Peter’s answer, given next, confesses Him as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, distinguishing Him from every prophet and teacher.

Mrk 8:29 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”…
Luk 9:20 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”…
Jhn 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, and the Messiah. In this passage, He is engaging His disciples in a crucial conversation about His identity.

2. Disciples
The followers of Jesus who are being directly questioned by Him. This group includes Peter, who will soon make a significant declaration about Jesus' identity.

3. Caesarea Philippi
The location where this conversation takes place. It is a region known for its pagan worship, making Jesus' question about His identity even more poignant.
Teaching Points
Personal Confession of Faith
Each believer must personally answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" This is a foundational aspect of Christian faith and discipleship.

Revelation and Understanding
Understanding Jesus' identity is not merely an intellectual exercise but a revelation from God, as seen in Peter's confession.

Cultural Context and Faith
Just as Jesus asked this question in a place known for its diverse beliefs, Christians today must affirm their faith in a pluralistic society.

The Importance of Christ's Identity
Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God is central to the Christian faith and impacts how we live and share the gospel.

Living Out Our Confession
Our acknowledgment of Jesus' identity should influence our daily lives, guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions with others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Matthew 16:15?

2. How does Matthew 16:15 challenge your personal understanding of Jesus' identity?

3. Why is Jesus' question in Matthew 16:15 crucial for Christian faith today?

4. How can Peter's response in Matthew 16:16 guide your daily walk with Christ?

5. What Old Testament prophecies affirm Jesus as the Messiah in Matthew 16:15?

6. How can you confidently share your belief in Jesus as "the Christ"?

7. What does Jesus mean by asking, "But who do you say I am?" in Matthew 16:15?

8. How does Matthew 16:15 challenge personal beliefs about Jesus' identity?

9. Why is Peter's response to Jesus' question in Matthew 16:15 significant?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 16?


(15) Whom say ye?--The pronoun is doubly emphasised in the Greek, "But ye--whom say ye . . .?" The question is, as has been said, parallel in tone, though not in form, to that of John 6:67. Had they still a distinct faith of their own? or were they, too, falling back into these popular surmises?

Verse 15. - But whom (who) say ye that I am? More emphatic in the Greek, Υμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εϊναι; But ye, who do ye say that I am? This was the important question to which the previous one led. Ye, who have shared my life and received my teaching, witnessed my miracles and have been endued by me with supernatural powers, ye know better than the people, whose crude opinions you have heard and recounted; so tell plainly what you believe of me: who you think and say that I am? A momentous inquiry! upon which hung the foundation of the Christian Church. Their knowledge of the real nature of Jesus was now to be tested.

Matthew 16:15 records Jesus pressing His disciples for a personal confession: “But what about you? … Who do you say I am?” The verse moves from general opinion to individual decision, driven by the Lord’s probing question, and calls every believer to embrace and articulate the truth that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the living God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“But [what about]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

you?”
Ὑμεῖς (Hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Jesus asked.
Λέγει (Legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Who
τίνα (tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you say
λέγετε (legete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

I
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am?”
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.


Additonal Resources
Matthew 16:15 Blue Letter Bible
Matthew 16:15 Bible Gateway
Matthew 16:15 Bible.com

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Matthew 16:15 Study Bible
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NT Gospels: Matthew 16:15 He said to them But who do (Matt. Mat Mt)

Matthew 16:14
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