Johan SlabbertPhoto: Marcus Woodbridge
Matthew 16:13 "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'"
The gospel of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus, linking his ancestry to king David and to Abraham. It ends with the resurrection and the Great Commission to his apostles to make disciples of all nations, and teaching them to obey all that he had commanded them.
Was there a specific reason why Jesus brought his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, and why did he ask them about his identity as the Son of Man there? The events at Caesarea Philippi mark the turning point in the Gospel of Matthew and the next phase in Jesus’ instruction of his disciples regarding the scope of his mission and the nature of his person. The reason for this was that his disciples still lacked a full understanding of his person and work. However, it was the most significant knowledge they needed to be able to faithfully propagate his teaching and fulfil his mission after his departure.
Why would this place and this question be of the utmost importance for them to settle in their minds, as well as for the church? How would Jesus go about this to illustrate the full nature of his person and demonstrate the full scope of his mission? Who was Jesus, and what was his mission?
Up to this point in Jesus’ ministry, he had taught that:
The kingdom of heaven was at hand (Matthew 4:17). To be able to enter the kingdom meant one had to repent and believe the good news.
This was followed by the Discipleship Discourse (Matthew 5:1-7:28), in which he taught what it meant to be a disciple and a kingdom citizen.
Jesus then demonstrated the veracity of this teaching through various authenticating healings and miracles (Matthew 8:1-9:38).
In the Mission Discourse (Matthew 10:1-11:1), Jesus taught what true mission was, empowering the twelve disciples for this task and explaining the cost of the kingdom. The cost of discipleship was high, and it came at the price of your own life.
The teaching of Jesus is once again demonstrated in a practical way by his actions in this mission (Matthew 11:1-12:50)
In the Kingdom in the World Discourse (Matthew 13:1-53), he taught the manner in which the kingdom would advance and grow.
Afterwards, the disciples should have had a clear understanding of what the kingdom was and who the king of God’s kingdom was. However, major elements of understanding were still lacking. Jesus then described how the advancement of the kingdom in the world would be met with conflict (Matthew 13:53-17:27). ‘The church of Christ amid the Chaos’ forms the heart of this section.
Looking Ahead
We will consider the significance of Jesus’ action to bring his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, and why he asked the question about the Son of Man… We will consider the vital importance of this implication for the mission of the church.
Call to Action
What are the two prominent features of Matthew 13:16?
What would you consider to be the greatest lack of understanding for believers around the nature of the kingdom and the mission of Jesus, as well as the full impact of his person and nature?