Luke 9:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the disciples remarked that some referred to Him as John and others as Elijah, He inquired, "But what about you, those of you who are distinct, those who are selected, those who are consecrated, what name do you give me?"

Notice the artful way the inquiry is presented. He did not immediately ask, "Who do you say that I am?" Instead, He alluded to the perceptions of those beyond the circle of His followers, aiming to highlight their misunderstandings and contradictions to steer them toward the truth. This is evident when the disciples responded with various answers: "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others that one of the prophets of old has risen."

He inquired of them, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ To which Simon Peter replied, ‘The Christ of God’ (Luke 9:20). In examining Luke 9:18-21, particularly Peter’s declaration, we see that public opinion diverged: some believed Him to be Elijah who was prophesied to return (see Lk. 9:8), while others thought of Him as John, who they knew had been executed (see Mark 6:28). Others still considered Him as one of the resurrected prophets. However, it is not for us to delve into these interpretations alone; rather, we require the discernment and insight of others.

The understanding of all these matters is presented in the thirty-third chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus asking His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” leads to Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The disciples shared that some believed Jesus to be John the Baptist raised from the dead, while others thought he was Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the ancient prophets (Luke 9:8-19). These perspectives revealed that Jesus' presence was perceived as remarkable, yet not truly understood. Whether stemming from the new or the old, the prevailing thought was that he was merely a resurrected prophet or a former prophet inspired by the Spirit acting through Jesus, a precursor to the Messiah rather than the Messiah Himself. While the origins of the Messiah remain uncertain, the people confidently asserted that His arrival would be in glory, distinct from other forms—this was their collective reasoning.

The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark concur that this significant occurrence happened near Caesarea Philippi, in the region known as Gablonitis, close to the springs of the Jordan River, at the base of Lebanon. Additionally, Luke mentions that prior to calling His disciples to make a public and solemn declaration, Jesus prayed. Matthew provides a more detailed account compared to Mark and Luke, emphasizing Christ's words (vv. 17-19), in which He acknowledged Peter's profound declaration and the reward for it.

The apostles informed Jesus that the crowd held various beliefs about him. In the presence of Herod Antipas, some viewed him as John the Baptist returned from the grave, while others regarded him as one of the prophets from the Old Testament, such as Elijah, Jeremiah, and others.

The reaction that followed revealed the extent to which people failed to grasp His true honor, demonstrating how the fixation on the national Jewish concept of the Messiah had clouded the collective consciousness. The disciples shared that some, reflecting the apprehensions of Herod Antipas, claimed that the spirit of John the Baptist resided in Him, suggesting He performed His miraculous works through that spirit, or even positing that He was John risen from the dead and presenting Himself under a different name. Others believed Him to be Elijah, who, similar to Enoch, had never experienced death but was taken up into heaven, returning in physical form as prophesied by Malachi to prepare for the Messiah's arrival.