Keraia
Mark 8

Mark 8:27

Peter’s Confession of Christ · Mark 8:27–30
Read Mark 8

Translations

Modern
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?”
Traditional
And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Literal
And Jesus and His disciples went out into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, He was questioning His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say I am?”
Latin
Et egressus est Jesus, et discipuli ejus in castella Cæsareæ Philippi: et in via interrogabat discipulos suos, dicens eis: Quem me dicunt esse homines?

Interlinear

Greek
English
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?”

Notes

Mark 8:27–28

  • Philip the Tetrarch (a regional ruler) was the son of Herod the Great. Philip built Caesarea Philippi on the slopes of Mount Hermon, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the Sea of Galilee. The more famous Caesarea on the coast was built by his father.

  • Who do people say I am?: As a good teacher, Jesus asked this question to understand what his disciples thought. Their answer is similar to 6:14–16.

  •  John the Baptist: See study note on 6:14.

  • one of the prophets: Many people saw Jesus as a prophet (a person who speaks for God; see 6:4; 14:65; Luke 7:16, 39; 13:33; 24:19).

Mark 8:27–38

Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, God’s chosen king) and the first prediction of his death mark a turning point in the Gospel of Mark. This begins a new stage in his ministry. The question, “Who is this?” asked by the disciples in 4:41, is now answered by Peter.

Mark 8:27–9:1

This section is the first cycle (a repeated pattern) that includes three parts:

  • Jesus predicts his suffering (8:31),

  • the disciples respond with misunderstanding (8:32–33), and

  • Jesus teaches about discipleship (what it means to follow him; 8:34–9:1).

Compare with 9:30–10:31.

Theme notes and profiles

The Secret of the Messiah

Events

Parallels

Matthew 16:13–20 Luke 9:18–20 John 6:67–71

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Places

Caesarea Philippi: City where Peter confessed Jesus as Messiah

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Caesarea Philippi Herod, Herodian Family Jesus Christ Mark, Gospel of Peter, the Apostle

Topics

Caesarea Philippi: A City in the North of Palestine; Visited by Jesus Galilee: Modern Towns of Caesarea Philippi