Luke 9:20 Commentary and Bible Study

But the disciples who had a much closer view of him, and drew much better conclusions at this stage. They realized his holiness and character. Consider what it was like for them to be with him, and to never perceive a single selfish thought, to never hear a vindictive word. That made such an impression upon them. At first it was uncanny, and then it was overwhelming and amazing. They knew he was the Christ of God, because he was absolutely perfect. He was also infallible in all he said. Everything he said came to pass. Everything he did was successful. Those who were close in: they knew there was no trickery. They knew that this wasn't just in the occasional public event. It was all the time. He was always able to do the things he set out to do. They knew he was no mere man, but he was God and man. He was God entered into flesh. And of course the disciples heard all his teaching. They knew he was absolutely consistent. They knew every time he opened his mouth it was deep and profound and wonderful. And they were just awed beyond description. They knew he was the Son of God. The crowd didn't get such a close view. It is not surprising that the disciples were aware of it first. So often they had seen him read people's thoughts. They had seen him so accurately mirror what people were thinking. They had heard the mutterings nearby and he hadn't heard them, not physically with the ear, and yet he knew exactly what people were thinking. The disciples perceived all this. They realized he was God himself with an unswerving purpose, and that he had come to fulfil the Scriptures and to save men and women. So Peter answers, you are ‘the Christ of God.’ That is a technical term in a way. It means he is the anointed one, or the appointed one, the one who God has appointed to make a sacrifice, to make a way of forgiveness for men, and to be King and Lord over the church of God. It's all a question of lordship.