Who is the Son of Man?

In Matthew 16:13, 15-16, Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” He then asked, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

This event marks a climax in Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, which began in Matthew 4:17. Caesarea Philippi was located at the foot of Mount Hermon, north of Galilee, where local people worshipped various pagan idols. Jesus intentionally led his disciples on a journey of over 60 kilometers from the Sea of Galilee to this place, away from the Jewish crowds and among foreign idols. There, He asked them two questions to ensure they had a correct understanding of His identity. Peter’s response was a breakthrough. The “Messiah” he confessed was not just a liberator for the nation of Israel, but “the Son of the living God.” While Peter still had much to learn about the Messiah’s mission, he had already recognized Jesus as “the Son of the living God”—the “Messiah” promised in the Old Testament.

Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version of the Bible and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.