Breaking the Word

  Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." (Lk 9:18-22)

Peter replied saying that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter spoke for the twelve. This would mean that all the twelve were aware that Jesus was the Messiah or at least some of them were. But when Jesus questioned them about the view of the people all the disciples were aware of what the people thought of Jesus.

People had a view of Jesus which was true to facts but not exact. Some of the activities of Jesus were like the activities of the prophets. But the followers and in particular Peter was aware that he was more than a prophet. In fact he was the long awaited Messiah. But what did Peter know of the Messiah and his activities?

Jesus explained and expressed what the Messiah should be? The explanation that Jesus gave was kept secret and was not revealed to the people till the death and the resurrection of Jesus. So, until then even the disciples communicated or hope for a messiah like the one which every believer longed for at the time of Jesus: a warrior, royal messiah. 

  Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.  (Lk 9:7-9)

Herod was greatly perplexed. And the people in general wondered at his teachings and miracles. The whole nation was receiving news and information about Jesus. Jesus became an important person in the whole nation.

Everyone was imagining Jesus to be someone very important. They thought of him to be someone of the past. People could not see or visualise greatness in the present times. They always linked greatness to the past. Good things and great things happened only in the past. They could not see greatness in Jesus as a present reality.

Jesus activities and preaching identified him to be one of the prophets of old.  They thought that he would be Elijah. Elijah was supposed to come back at the end of times also he had no origin etc. He was also a prophet who proclaimed the truth about one true God. John was also like Elijah that is why he was also considered to be Elijah. Life of Jesus was like that of anyone prophets of the old. They could not see Jesus differently.