What Jesus Did! 'Who He Is!' — Matthew 16:13-14

Saturday, August 2, 2025

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

— Matthew 16:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

As believers, we know who Jesus is in the Gospel of Matthew. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is the Christ. He is Lord. He is Son of God.

Isn't it amazing, however, how people in Jesus' own day tried to lump him in as just another great religious teacher very much like many try to do today. But human speculation can never live up to heavenly revelation. God has revealed himself in Jesus. We either accept God's identification of Jesus, or we reject both Jesus and God.

In an age and culture of pluralism, that sounds awfully closed minded. But neither our reputation nor our repudiation is of consequence in comparison with rejecting or accepting God's revelation about himself.

Today's Prayer

Holy and matchless God, thank you for your Sovereign choice to send Jesus as my Savior and Lord, your promised Messiah, the Christ. I boldly and unashamedly confess Jesus as Lord and thank you for sending him to save me from my sin and myself. Thank you so much, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 16:13-14 NLT — "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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