Matthew 16:14

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 16:14 records the disciples' report to Jesus concerning public opinion about His identity. As Jesus began to ask His disciples who people believed Him to be, they relayed the various popular theories circulating among the crowds. These responses highlight the diverse yet incomplete understandings people had of Jesus' true nature and mission.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal conversation Jesus had with His disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Following His question in Matthew 16:13, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?", the disciples reveal the prevailing perceptions. This setup directly precedes Peter's monumental confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, as recorded in Matthew 16:16. The public's opinions, though respectful, fell short of the divine truth.

Key Themes

  • Misconceptions of Jesus' Identity: People recognized Jesus' extraordinary power and prophetic authority, but they failed to grasp His unique identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. They saw Him as a great man, a prophet, or a resurrected figure, but not the promised Christ.
  • Messianic Expectations: The suggestions of John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah reflect the Jewish people's longing for a prophet or a forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah, or even the Messiah himself.
  • Association with Forefathers:
    • John the Baptist: Some believed Jesus was John the Baptist, perhaps resurrected, due to their similar ministries of repentance and prophetic declarations. Jesus Himself alluded to John the Baptist fulfilling the role of Elijah, as noted in Matthew 11:14.
    • Elias (Elijah): The belief that Jesus was Elijah stemmed from the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, which foretold Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the LORD." Elijah was revered as a powerful prophet who did not die but was taken to heaven.
    • Jeremias (Jeremiah) or One of the Prophets: Jeremiah was known as the "weeping prophet," often associated with lament and national repentance. Others simply saw Jesus as a general prophet, continuing the lineage of God's spokesmen in Israel. This indicated respect for His teachings and miracles, but still missed His divine nature.

Linguistic Insights

The term "prophet" (Greek: prophētēs) signifies one who speaks forth for God, delivering His message. While Jesus certainly fulfilled this role, the people's identification of Him merely as "one of the prophets" underscored their limited understanding. They recognized His prophetic anointing but not His unique divine sonship, which transcends the office of a prophet.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that popular opinion, however well-intentioned or widespread, often falls short of divine truth. It challenges us to move beyond superficial understandings or inherited beliefs about Jesus and to seek a personal, revelatory knowledge of who He truly is. Like Peter, we are called to confess Jesus not merely as a great teacher or prophet, but as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Our eternal destiny hinges on this fundamental truth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 6:15 (7 votes)

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

  • Matthew 14:2 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • John 9:17 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

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