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Mark 8:27-30 “A Halfway Confession”

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5–7 minutes

Mark 8:27-30 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

Jesus traveled north from Bethsaida and arrived at the town of Caesarea Philippi. This city was the region’s capital, ruled by Philip, the son of Herod the Great. The name “Caesarea Philippi” meant “the city that Philip dedicated to Caesar,” reflecting this town’s dominant spirit of loyalty to the Roman emperor. It was far away from Galilee, where Jesus had been actively ministering. Jesus sought to wrap up his ministry in Galilee and shift his direction by visiting a place where few people knew about him.

As Jesus traveled through the villages belonging to this city, preaching the gospel, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (v. 27). This question was a prelude to directing the same question to his disciples. In response, the disciples relayed what they had heard. Some people said that Jesus was John the Baptist, who had come back to life after being executed by Herod Antipas. Others believed he was Elijah, who had been taken up to heaven without dying and had now returned. Still, others thought he was one of the prophets (v. 28). Mark had already recorded these accounts earlier (6:14-16).

After listening to the disciples’ reports, Jesus asks again, “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 29). This is the question he truly wanted to ask. Peter steps forward and answers, “You are the Christ.” (v. 29). In the original text, it is written as “You are the Christ,” but following the natural flow of the Korean language, “You” has been rendered as “Teacher” in translation. The term “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Originally, “Messiah” meant “the anointed one,” a title used for kings, priests, and prophets. However, during Jesus’ time, “Messiah” specifically referred to the eternal Savior whom God would send in the last days.

Then Jesus “sternly warned” them not to tell anyone about this (v. 30). Peter’s recognition of Jesus as Christ was still incomplete—much like the blind man from Bethsaida, who could only see faintly at first. His confession was only half correct. While Peter realized that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior sent by God, he did not yet understand what the Messiah had come to do.

Meditation:

There were likely two reasons why Jesus went to Caesarea Philippi. First, he may have wanted to conclude his ministry in Galilee in a place where few people recognized him. Second, it was because of the symbolic significance of Caesarea Philippi. It was a place where the power and authority of the Roman emperor were strongly felt. There, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Up until that point, they had been listening to his words and witnessing his works, wrestling with the question, “Who is this man?” Now, the time had come for them to give their final answer.

In response to Jesus’ question, Peter boldly declares, “You are the Christ.” Given that they were in a place where the authority of the Roman emperor was strongly enforced, Peter’s statement was incredibly risky. His confession directly challenged the prevailing political and religious order. The fact that the other disciples remained silent suggests that they agreed with Peter’s answer.

For the Jewish disciples, this was a tremendous intellectual leap. Until then, they had wrestled with Jesus’ identity while assuming he was merely human. However, if they held that assumption, they could not fully explain his words and actions. It must have been unbelievable for them to accept that the Messiah—the one they and their ancestors had believed in and longed for—was standing right before their eyes. They had postponed their conclusion repeatedly, but in the end, they could no longer deny it.

But what an unexpected turn of events! After Peter’s bold confession, Jesus commands them not to tell anyone about it. Why would He do that? Was it because if word spread in a place like Caesarea Philippi, Jesus would be immediately arrested and executed as a rebel? Was he silencing them out of fear of political danger?

The answer to this question is something we must continue to explore as we read further.

Prayer:

Lord, I realize how difficult it can be to know you fully. My knowledge and experiences often become obstacles. When your words do not fit my understanding, I am tempted to ignore them. When your miracles challenge my reasoning, I struggle to believe. In doing so, I try to reduce you to the limits of my own knowledge and experience. Oh Lord, let my faith grow to the measure of who you truly are. Break down the barriers of my understanding, again and again, before you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Knowing Jesus is more than just saying the right words—it means truly understanding who he is and what he came to do. Like Peter, we might recognize that Jesus is the Christ, but our understanding of him grows over time. Jesus invites us to keep asking, seeking, and learning more about him, even when it challenges what we think we know.

  • For Preschool-Lower Elementary
    • Jesus asked his friends, “Who do you say that I am?” If Jesus asked you that, what would you say?
    • Have you ever learned something new about Jesus that surprised you?
  • For Upper Elementary-Middle School
    • Why do you think Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone yet? What do you think they needed to understand first?
    • If someone asked you, “Who is Jesus to you?” how would you answer?
  • For High School
    • Peter’s confession was only halfway correct—he knew Jesus was the Christ but didn’t yet understand what that meant. How do you think people today might misunderstand Jesus?
    • Have you ever struggled with your faith because what Jesus says doesn’t match what you expected? How do you deal with that?

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