What is the meaning of Luke 9:20? But what about you? • Moments earlier, the disciples report what “the crowds” are saying (Luke 9:18–19). Now Jesus pivots, putting the spotlight on them. Like Joshua’s “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15) and Jesus’ own “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67), the question personalizes faith. • Faith is never merely second-hand; it demands an individual response. No matter how accurate public opinion might be, Jesus presses for a heart-level decision. Jesus asked. • Every major turning point in Scripture often begins with a divine question—“Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Questions from God are invitations, not information-gathering. • Here the Teacher draws His followers deeper, just as He does in the parallels (Matthew 16:15; Mark 8:29). • Notice that Jesus initiates; disciples react. Our understanding always starts with His initiative (John 15:16). Who do you say I am? • This is the watershed issue of life. Salvation hinges on a right confession: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ … you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). • Martha voices it: “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27). John later declares, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him” (1 John 4:15). • The question moves beyond titles to allegiance—who Jesus is determines how we live. Peter answered, • True to form, Peter speaks for the group. His response is immediate and bold—no hedging, no polling. • Earlier he said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Now he crystallizes that conviction into a clear confession. • Peter’s willingness to speak out models the outward expression of inward faith (Matthew 10:32). The Christ of God. • “Christ” means “Anointed One,” echoing Psalm 2:2: “The kings of the earth take their stand … against the LORD and against His Anointed.” • Jesus is not merely anointed by men but by God Himself—“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38). • He fulfills Isaiah 61:1, the Spirit-anointed liberator; He is the promised Savior announced at His birth: “Today … a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). • Everyone “who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). Peter’s confession aligns him with that eternal truth. summary Luke 9:20 zeroes in on the essential question every person must answer. Jesus personalizes the discussion, initiates the encounter, and presses for a confession that moves beyond hearsay. Peter rises to the moment, declaring that Jesus is God’s Anointed Messiah—the centerpiece of faith foretold by prophets and fulfilled in Christ. The verse challenges every reader to echo Peter’s confession and align life accordingly. |
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