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 "Who
is the Son of Man . . . Who Am I?" – The feeding of the 4,000 still
fresh in mind, the disciples had undoubtedly heard talk . . . so Jesus queries them,
"what are you hearing about the identity of the Son of Man?" This exchange
between Jesus and disciples signals the beginning of "The Journey" motif—a
movement toward Jerusalem and crucifixion marked by narrative and discourse.
- Hush Up! or Breakthrough? – Matthew follows Mark closely here, but
the shift in the way that Jesus’ responds to Peter’s confession is astonishing.
In Mark, Peter’s response is met by caution and messianic secrecy that approaches
reprimand. In Matthew however, Peter’s confession is greeted as a breakthrough of
great significance: "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blod has not
revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven."
- Peter as Rock – The name Peter means stone or rock (Aramaic cepha;
Greek petros (from whence comes the hard substance as in petrified wood). What is
interesting is that until this naming of Peter by Jesus, we find no documented instances
of anyone’s ever being name "rock" in Aramaic or Greek prior to Simon. [1]
 Why would various people
associate the Son of Man identity with John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or other
prominent prophets? What do we know about expectations of the Son of Man and the histories
of these people the make them possible candidates?
- If you asked the typical person, "Who is Jesus Christ?" what would be
the common responses? If we polled two good friends from your early teen years, what
adjective would they use to describe you?
- Theodore of Heraclea (355) – Jesus asks [this question] in
order that we might know what opinions about him were current among the Jews. [He also
asks] so we might learn to inquire intently into what people are saying about him, and if
it is bad, to remove the causes, or if complimentary, to increase them. [2]
 For an excellent homily idea on this
passage, please review the sermon entitled, Speak Up and Be Quiet, by Fred Craddock. [3]
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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible VIII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 345.
[2] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Matthew 14-28 (Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press, 2002), page 44.
[3] Fred B. Craddock, The Cherry Log Sermons (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press,
2001), pp. 36-41.
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