Opinion of Disciples about Jesus

47. Opinion of Disciples about Jesus

When Peter says that he thinks Jesus is the Christ, he means that he thinks Jesus is the apocalyptic messiah of whom John prophesied, the one to usher in the new golden reign of the Jews.

Given the disciples’ past performance, Jesus probably anticipates such an answer, and admonishes them not to tell people that he is the Christ. Why? Because he does not want to foster that already prevalent misconception.

[See also “Contemporary Opinions About the Worth of Jesus,” Commentary 6-27.]