Knowing The Word in Luke 9:18-20, Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Matthew and Mark locate the next event near the foot of Mount Hermon in Gentile territory where the god Pan was worshiped. Jesus is now away from Herod and the crowds in a place to have time and space to talk seriously with his disciples. When he asked his disciples what people think about him, their answers are very similar to what Herod had to say. Jesus turns from a general discussion, that we all find easier, and asks for personal answers from his disciples. The acknowledgement of Jesus as the Christ is always a personal answer. Here Peter is the spokesman for the group. Jesus is the deliverer for whom the people have been looking. He is anointed by God for this mission.

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, who is the very bright sun of the world, ever rising and never going down: shine, we beseech you, upon our spirit, that the night of sin and error being driven away by your inward light, we may walk without stumbling as in the day. Grant this, O Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for evermore.

Prymer (1559)