Luke 9:18-27
Who Do You Say I Am
Read the passage
18One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”
20“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.
22“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
23Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?
26If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27But I tell you truly, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus is praying in private with his disciples nearby. He asks them who the crowds say He is. They answer that some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others that one of the ancient prophets has risen.
Jesus asks them directly, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “The Christ of God.” Jesus strictly charges them to tell this to no one at that time.
He explains that the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and on the third day be raised. Peter's correct confession is immediately joined to a costly definition of Messiahship.
Jesus then tells everyone that following Him means denying themselves, taking up their cross daily, and following Him. Whoever wants to save life will lose it, but whoever loses life for His sake will save it. Gaining the whole world would be a terrible bargain if it cost someone their very self. Jesus also warns that he will be ashamed of those ashamed of him and his words when he comes in glory. Daily loyalty matters because the one going toward rejection and death will also return as Lord. Following him may cost a person dearly now, but his promise of life reaches beyond that loss.
Questions
1 What do the crowds say about Jesus?
AnswerThey say He may be John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets who has risen.
2 What does Peter confess?
AnswerPeter says that Jesus is the Christ of God, recognizing Him as God's promised Messiah.
3 What does Jesus say the Son of Man must endure?
AnswerHe must suffer, be rejected and killed, and be raised on the third day. The Messiah's path includes both suffering and resurrection.
4 What does following Jesus require?
AnswerIt requires self-denial, daily cross-bearing, and a willingness to lose life for Jesus' sake rather than make self-preservation the highest goal.
What This Means for Us
A correct title for Jesus is not enough if we imagine discipleship as guaranteed comfort or public success. Jesus defines His mission through suffering and calls His followers to a daily, costly loyalty.
Families should apply this without glorifying abuse or reckless self-destruction. Self-denial means refusing sinful self-rule and following Christ's truth, while wise boundaries protect the vulnerable.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, deepen our confession of who You are. Give our household courage for daily faithfulness, wisdom to distinguish sacrifice from foolishness, and hope in the resurrection You have promised. Amen.