Who Do You Say I Am?

Mark 8:22-30

Key Verse 8:29 “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’”

1. How did Jesus heal this blind man? (23-25) Describe the stages of the blind man’s healing. In what sense does this parallel the spiritually blind disciples’ gradual healing? (cf. 17-18, 21)

2. What was the first question Jesus asked his disciples? (27) What was their answer? (28) What does this tell us about ordinary people’s general view of Jesus?

3. What was Jesus’ second question and how was it different from the first question? (29) How did Peter answer? What does “the Messiah” mean? (Matthew 16:16; Luke 2:11; Isaiah 42:1-7)

4. In what respect is Peter’s answer different from that of the people? How did Peter come to this answer? (Matthew 16:17-19) What did this confession mean to Peter personally? (Romans 10:9-10)

5. In what sense is this event a turning point in Peter’s life? Why did Jesus teach his disciples about his suffering and death only after their confession? (31) Why do we need to make such a confession?