The Bible gives several occasions where this question was asked and also several answers. The first answer is given in Luke 3:22 after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. As Jesus was praying,

God spoke from heaven: “You are my Son,whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” God answered the question before it was asked. In Luke 4:22 the people in the synagogue asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

 The question was asked many times during His brief ministry on earth:

His own disciples were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27).

The crowds in His own hometown asked the question in Matt. 13:53-56.

The high priest asked the question in Matthew 26:63 but did not like Jesus’ answer in verse 64.

Pilate asked the question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” (Matt. 27:11)

But Pliate refused to accept Jesus’ answer, “Yes, it is as you say,” nor did he heed the warnings of his wife in verse 19.

Many Jesus encountered during his short ministry refused to accept that He was the Son of God as was foretold by the prophets and declared by God’s voice from heaven. Nor did they accept Jesus’ own words or the demonstration of who He was by His miracles and amazing wisdom. Jesus asked the question on at least two occasions.

Once of His disciples in Matt.16:16 and once of the Pharisees in Matt. 22:42 when He asked: “What do you think of the Christ” Whose son is he?” The people of his day were so much like many in this 21st century. They were willing to call Him Rabbi, a Prophet, or Teacher—even a Great Teacher. However, they could not bring themselves to recognize Him for who He really was.

Only Peter answering for the other disciples got it right when Jesus asked them, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” I can almost hear Peter shouting with a voice that was filled with enthusiasm: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15, 16).

The same question is still being asked today—asked of you and me. How will you answer the questions: Who is this man?

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com