And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Comment: Here we have one glimpse of what they talked about as they walked the roads of Judea. Jesus put two questions to them. The first, ‘Who do people say that I am?‘ And they obviously had picked up what people were thinking and discussing. People obviously thought that Jesus was spectacular. Their answer ranged from the prophets, especially Elijah or maybe even the murdered John the Baptist come back to life. The second, ‘But who do you say that I am?‘ Today many don’t know what the word ‘Christ’ means. But Peter, in fact, said ‘You are the promised Messiah, some how God come in the flesh’. Fantastic as the thought of a resurrected prophet is, God come in human flesh is so different. Why did Jesus tell them to tell no one? Reaching the Pharisees ears that would have immediately, and did eventually, see Him put to death. The Pharisees would not stand for Jesus being acknowledged as the Messiah and Jesus knew that His death-time was not quite yet.
Prayer: Humbly I bow in Your Presence, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. Jesus knew who He was. The people knew that He was someone very special who was connected to God, possibly a prophet sent by God. The disciples knew that He was from God, but Peter expressed it perfectly. People today still have many different answers to that question. God bless you.
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