Luke 9:18-22
Chapter 9
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One day, while Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them:
“What do people say about me?”
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And they answered:
“Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others, that you are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead.”
Again, Jesus asked them:
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“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered:
“The Messiah of God.”
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Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
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And he added:
“The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and he will be put to death. Then, after three days, he will be raised to life.”
Commentaries
Peter’s Confession.
As Jesus’ ministry in Galilee concludes, it is clear that his fame has spread across the region; however, Jesus is left with a doubt: Have the people, the crowds who have seen and heard him, truly understood who he is? Where are they now, what have they become, and what are those who have heard him doing? Peter responds on behalf of all of them; for them, Jesus is the Messiah of God, the Anointed One. The direct question also challenges us. Luke records Jesus’ prohibition to his disciples about spreading the news of his identity (cf. Mk 8:30; Mt 16:20), but he leaves out the dialogue with Peter that ends with a harsh rebuke when the disciple opposes Jesus’ decision to accomplish his mission through the way of the cross (cf. Mk 8:32ff; Mt 16:22ff).
First Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection – Conditions for Being a Disciple.
Jesus immediately explains the fate that awaits him and what this means for his disciples’ lives. Anyone who wants to follow him can’t avoid the path he is on. The true disciple must embrace the Master’s plan and way of life: he denies himself, meaning he doesn’t act on impulse or tailor reality to suit his own interests.