Matthew 16:14

KJV

And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they said {G2036}, Some say that thou art {G3303} John {G2491} the Baptist {G910}:{G1161} some {G243}, Elias {G2243}; and {G1161} others {G2087}, Jeremias {G2408}, or {G2228} one {G1520} of the prophets {G4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, "Well, some say Yochanan the Immerser, others Eliyahu, still others Yirmeyahu or one of the prophets."

Berean Standard Bible

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

American Standard Version

And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 16:14 records the disciples' report to Jesus concerning the diverse public opinions about His identity. As Jesus probed His disciples regarding popular perceptions of Himself, they relayed the various theories circulating among the crowds, which included John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. These responses, while acknowledging Jesus' extraordinary prophetic authority, ultimately highlight the widespread yet incomplete understandings people had of His true nature and unique divine mission, setting the stage for the pivotal revelation of His messianic identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' direct question to His disciples in [Matthew 16:13](/matthew/16-13 "Jesus Asks About His Identity"), "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" The disciples' answer in verse 14 serves as a dramatic foil, contrasting popular, incomplete human speculation with the divine revelation that is about to unfold. It directly precedes Peter's monumental confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, which is recorded in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Peter's Confession of Jesus as the Christ"), marking a turning point in the disciples' understanding and the narrative's focus from public ministry to private instruction about the cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this conversation is Caesarea Philippi, a region known for its pagan worship and Roman influence, providing a stark backdrop for a discussion about the true identity of the Jewish Messiah. Within Jewish culture, there was a strong expectation of a coming prophet, particularly Elijah, whose return was foretold in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Prophecy of Elijah's Return") to prepare the way for the "great and dreadful day of the LORD." The memory of John the Baptist, recently executed by Herod, was still fresh, and his powerful prophetic ministry led some to believe Jesus was his reincarnation or resurrection. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented Israel's sin and exile, represented a figure of national repentance and suffering, resonating with Jesus' own ministry and teachings.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 16:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Misconceptions of Jesus' Identity**, revealing that despite His miracles and authoritative teaching, the public failed to grasp His unique divine sonship, limiting Him to the status of a great prophet or a resurrected figure. Secondly, it highlights the prevailing **Messianic Expectations** of the time, showing how people attempted to fit Jesus into existing prophetic molds rather than recognizing Him as the fulfillment and transcender of all prophetic roles. This sets up the critical distinction between human speculation and divine revelation, a theme central to the entire [Gospel of Matthew](/matthew/1 "The Gospel According to Matthew"), emphasizing that true understanding of Jesus comes not from flesh and blood, but from the Father in heaven, as seen in [Matthew 16:17](/matthew/16-17 "Jesus' Blessing on Peter's Revelation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō_'):** This verb (G2036) denotes a direct statement or declaration, indicating the disciples are relaying specific responses they have heard from the public regarding Jesus' identity. It highlights that these are not their own opinions, but rather a summary of popular belief.
* **others (Greek, _héteros_'):** This word (G2087) emphasizes a distinct difference or variety among the opinions, highlighting that the public's understanding of Jesus was fragmented and diverse rather than unified. It signifies "another of a different kind," underscoring the range of interpretations.
* **prophets (Greek, _prophētēs_'):** Referring to one (G4396) who speaks forth for God, delivering His message, this term indicates that while the public recognized Jesus' divine authority and message-bearing role, they limited Him to the status of a mere human messenger, failing to grasp His unique divine sonship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said":** This introductory phrase indicates the disciples' direct response to Jesus' question in the preceding verse, acting as messengers relaying the prevailing public sentiment. It sets the stage for the revelation of popular, albeit insufficient, understandings of Jesus.
* **"Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist:":** This opinion suggests a belief in reincarnation or resurrection, linking Jesus to a recently executed prophetic figure known for his powerful ministry of repentance and his direct confrontation with sin. The association highlights Jesus' perceived prophetic authority and a sense of continuity with John's preparatory work.
* **"some, Elias;":** This belief connects Jesus to the revered prophet Elijah, whose return was prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6 as a precursor to the Messiah's coming. This indicates a strong messianic expectation among the people, viewing Jesus as the powerful forerunner who would prepare Israel for the Lord's day.
* **"and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.":** This final category groups Jeremiah, known for his lament over Israel's sins and his prophetic warnings, with a general category of "prophets." This signifies a recognition of Jesus' profound teachings, His challenging of the status quo, and His miraculous works, placing Him within the esteemed lineage of God's spokesmen in Israel, yet still falling short of His unique divine nature and role as the Christ.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Anaphora** through the repeated "Some... some... and others," which effectively emphasizes the widespread and varied nature of the public's opinions concerning Jesus' identity. This repetition highlights the collective confusion and the lack of a unified, accurate understanding. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: while the people rightly identify Jesus as a powerful prophetic figure, their very recognition of Him as "one of the prophets" ironically underscores their failure to grasp His unique, divine status that transcends any previous prophet. This sets up a **Contrast** between the limited human perception and the profound divine truth that is about to be revealed through Peter's confession, serving as a **Foreshadowing** of the deeper theological understanding that only comes through revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:14 profoundly illustrates the critical theological truth that human speculation, even when well-intentioned or based on partial truth, is insufficient to grasp the full identity of Jesus Christ. The public's opinions, while respectful and acknowledging Jesus' prophetic power, ultimately fall short because they are limited by human understanding and prevailing expectations rather than divine revelation. This verse underscores the necessity of a God-given understanding of Christ's person, emphasizing that true faith is not merely an intellectual assent to certain facts about Jesus, but a Spirit-revealed conviction of His unique Sonship and Messiahship. It highlights the chasm between popular opinion and the foundational truth upon which the Church is built.

* [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Peter's Confession of Christ's Identity")
* [John 6:68-69](/john/6-68-69 "Peter's Confession of Eternal Life and Christ's Identity")
* [1 Corinthians 1:20-25](/1_corinthians/1-20-25 "The Wisdom of God vs. Human Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:14 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary faith, challenging us to examine the source and depth of our own understanding of Jesus. In a world saturated with diverse opinions and interpretations, it's easy to reduce Jesus to a mere historical figure, a moral teacher, a social revolutionary, or a spiritual guru, much like the people of His day confined Him to the category of a prophet. This verse compels us to ask if our understanding of Jesus is based on popular sentiment, inherited tradition, or personal preference, rather than on the revealed truth of who He declared Himself to be and who the Father revealed Him to be. The inadequacy of the public's answers calls us to move beyond superficial knowledge and to earnestly seek a personal, Spirit-revealed conviction of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Our eternal destiny and the very foundation of our faith hinge on this fundamental truth, urging us to confess Him not merely as a great man, but as the unique and divine Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do popular opinions about Jesus today compare to those reported in Matthew 16:14, and what are the implications of these modern perceptions?**
* **What does it truly mean for *me* to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, beyond mere intellectual agreement?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to limit Jesus to a role or identity that falls short of His full divine and messianic nature?**

### FAQ

**Why did people think Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah?**

Answer: These associations stemmed from various cultural and theological expectations of the time. Some believed Jesus was John the Baptist, perhaps resurrected, due to their similar ministries of repentance and prophetic declarations, and the recent, shocking execution of John. The belief that Jesus was Elijah was deeply rooted in the prophecy of [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which foretold Elijah's return before the Messiah's coming. Elijah was revered as a powerful prophet who did not die but was taken to heaven, making him a fitting figure for the anticipated forerunner. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet" and a figure associated with national repentance and suffering, resonated with aspects of Jesus' own ministry and lament over Jerusalem. Others simply saw Jesus as a general prophet, continuing the lineage of God's spokesmen in Israel, acknowledging His teachings and miracles but not His unique divine nature.

**What is the significance of the disciples reporting these opinions to Jesus?**

Answer: The disciples' report of the public's opinions is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the widespread recognition of Jesus' extraordinary power and prophetic authority, even among those who did not fully grasp His identity. Secondly, it serves as a crucial setup for Jesus' subsequent direct question to His disciples in [Matthew 16:15](/matthew/16-15 "Jesus Asks His Disciples Their Opinion"), "But whom say ye that I am?" This contrast between popular, incomplete understanding and the disciples' (specifically Peter's) Spirit-revealed confession underscores the pivotal nature of knowing Jesus' true identity. It demonstrates that while the masses saw a great man or prophet, Jesus was preparing His inner circle for a deeper, foundational truth upon which His Church would be built.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:14, by presenting the public's limited perceptions of Jesus as merely a prophet or a resurrected forerunner, powerfully sets the stage for Christ's ultimate fulfillment of all prophetic and redemptive roles. While people saw Him as John the Baptist, Jesus is the one for whom John prepared the way, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). They saw Him as Elijah, the prophet who would return, but Jesus is the very Lord whose coming Elijah was meant to announce, the one who brings the [great and dreadful day of the LORD](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Elijah's Return"). They saw Him as Jeremiah, the prophet of lament, but Jesus is the one who not only lamented over Jerusalem but also bore the [sins of the world on the cross](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant"), offering true repentance and reconciliation rather than just lamentation. Jesus is not merely *one of the prophets*, but the Prophet par excellence, the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom God has spoken His final and complete revelation ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "God's Final Word in His Son")). He is the one greater than all who came before, fulfilling every shadow and type, and ultimately revealing Himself as the [Christ, the Son of the living God](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 6:15

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

Matthew 14:2

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

John 9:17

They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

John 7:12

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Luke 9:18

¶ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Luke 9:19

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again.