What if Jesus looked you in the eye today and asked, “Who do you say that I am?” That question is just as powerful now as it was on a dusty road in Caesarea Philippi. In this Matthew Bible lesson, we find the moment Peter recognizes Jesus as Messiah—and why that confession still matters for every believer today.
“…upon this rock I will build My church.” Admitting that Christ is our Savior can feel overwhelming. After all, following Jesus comes with responsibility, commitment, and faith that stretches us.
Even after witnessing countless miracles, Jesus’ own disciples struggled to fully understand who He was. Seeing miracles is one thing. Truly recognizing the Messiah is another.
Peter, after many moments of learning, failure, and growth, finally reaches clarity. In this lesson from the Gospel of Matthew, Peter speaks words that change history.
Peter Recognizes Jesus as Messiah – Matthew 6
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said,
“Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
He said to them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. — Matthew 16:13–20
How Did Peter Know Jesus Was the Messiah?
This moment didn’t come out of nowhere. Peter had watched Jesus heal the sick, calm storms, and even feed thousands. Still, miracles alone were not enough.
Jesus explains that Peter’s confession was not discovered through logic or observation. Instead, it was revealed by God Himself. This reminds us that faith is not just intellectual—it is spiritual.
Who Is Jesus?
The miracles. The parables. The authority in His teaching. The disciples witnessed all of it. Yet for a long time, they still saw Jesus as a prophet rather than the promised Messiah.
Later, the apostle John helps us understand this truth more clearly:
“The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” — John 1:14
God did not remain distant. He stepped into human history through Jesus Christ. He lived among His people, shared their joys and sorrows, and ultimately gave His life so that we could be saved.
Revealed to the Disciples
Today, we benefit from Scripture, church history, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The disciples did not have the New Testament or centuries of teaching to guide them.
So when Jesus asked who people believed He was, their uncertainty makes sense. Understanding came gradually, and for Peter, it finally came through divine revelation.
More Than a Prophet, More Than Just a “Good Man”
In that moment, everything clicked for Peter. He realized he was standing in the presence of God—the Messiah promised throughout Scripture.
Without fully realizing it, Peter set the pattern for the first crucial step every believer takes: confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Is Our Knowledge Enough?
Now the question turns to us. We have the full Bible—the Old and New Testaments—telling the complete story of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.
Even so, faith can still be a struggle. When challenges come, do we hesitate? Or do we answer with confidence?
“He is my Lord and Savior.”
Who is Jesus in your mind—and in your heart?
If you want to grow in faith or learn how to share Christ with others, you’ll find more encouragement and Bible lessons at Making Christ Known.
Love in Christ,
— Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing gift of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.
*All Bible verses from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
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