Who do men say that the son of man is? (Mt. 16:13-14)

[mercygate]

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

We often spend so much time defending Mt. 16:18, that we tend to ignore this passage in which the disciples say that people believe Jesus is one of these three major firebrands of prophecy. Elijah – that disturber of the peace? Jeremiah – prophet of wrath? John the Baptist – remonstrator of Herod?

These don’t exactly fit the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” “lowly and humble of heart” profile.

What say you all?

 

[space_ghost]

…good reason to always be ready/vigilant…



…you may never know when he will come knocking…

Peace:thumbsup:

 

[reen12]

Hello, mercygate,

quote: mercygate

These don’t exactly fit the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” “lowly and humble of heart” profile.

I’m winging this, off the top of my head, from memory.
Elijah raised the widow’s son. Jesus raised the daughter
of Jairus.
The reference to “Jeremiah and the other prophets” would
simply mean, I think, that some thought of Jesus as
a prophet…in the long line of prophets.
John the Baptist -I never could figure that one out myself !

As to the gentle, meek and mild…
It seems a human understanding [faulty, I think] that
people who are gentle, meek and mild cannot get
angry.

The “gentle” of this world can become very angry at
perceiving an injustice:

“You have turned my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
or:
When some of the “interpreter’s” of the Law waited to
see if He would heal the man with the withered hand,
on the Sabbath, Scripture says “He looked at them with anger…”

It was the injustice in their *attitude *that angered Him.
That they were content to see an act of mercy [healing]
thwarted by the Law.
[These men were, additionally, waiting to see if they
could find grounds [violating the Mosaic Law] to
bring charges against Jesus.]

So “meek” and “angry” are not mutually exclusive
categories.

Just my thought,

reen12

 

[mercygate]

reen12:

Hello, mercygate,

quote: mercygate

I’m winging this, off the top of my head, from memory.
Elijah raised the widow’s son. Jesus raised the daughter
of Jairus.
The reference to “Jeremiah and the other prophets” would
simply mean, I think, that some thought of Jesus as
a prophet…in the long line of prophets.
John the Baptist -I never could figure that one out myself !

As to the gentle, meek and mild…
It seems a human understanding [faulty, I think] that
people who are gentle, meek and mild cannot get
angry.

The “gentle” of this world can become very angry at
perceiving an injustice:

“You have turned my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
or:
When some of the “interpreter’s” of the Law waited to
see if He would heal the man with the withered hand,
on the Sabbath, Scripture says “He looked at them with anger…”

It was the injustice in their *attitude *that angered Him.
That they were content to see an act of mercy [healing]
thwarted by the Law.
[These men were, additionally, waiting to see if they
could find grounds [violating the Mosaic Law] to
bring charges against Jesus.]

So “meek” and “angry” are not mutually exclusive
categories.

Just my thought,

reen12

And well taken . . . Thanks.

 

[felra]

mercygate:

These don’t exactly fit the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” “lowly and humble of heart” profile.

What say you all?

Jesus was a prophet in that he was the herald for the Truth. The strongest, most direct opposition to the Truth was always spiritual, the enemy at hand, whether cloaked in religious garments or good intentions or in direct demonic encounters. This is where Jesus was often the most fierce in His words and actions, ex., “He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me’.” (Matt. 16:23). Where the kingdom of darkness clashed with the kingdom of light, the gloves came off for Jesus. Just my quick :twocents: .

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

mercygate:

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

We often spend so much time defending Mt. 16:18, that we tend to ignore this passage in which the disciples say that people believe Jesus is one of these three major firebrands of prophecy. Elijah – that disturber of the peace? Jeremiah – prophet of wrath? John the Baptist – remonstrator of Herod?

These don’t exactly fit the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” “lowly and humble of heart” profile.

What say you all?

I’m struck by the contrast between our emphasis on the Love of Christ, and the few times he mentions it - 42 times, mostly in St.John.​

I think he must have been rather alarming ##