“And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?”
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, who do people say I am? — the journey to Caesarea Philippi is the geographic hinge of Mark's Gospel — the furthest point north, the boundary of the ministry, the place where the ministry's central question is finally asked. Who do people say I am? is the identity question that has been implicit since Mark 1:1 but never directly posed. The disciples who have been with Jesus through the miracles, teachings, and private explanations are now asked to report the public's answer before giving their own.
Church Fathers on Mark 8:27
After taking His disciples afar from the Jews, He then asks them concerning Himself, that they might speak the truth without fear of the Jews.
Philip was that brother of Herod, of whom we spoke above, who in honour of Tiberius Caesar called that town, which is now called Paneas, Caesarea Philippi.
Or else, Mark and Luke, as they wrote that Peter answered, 'Thou art the Christ,' without adding what is put down in Matthew, 'the Son of the living God,' so they omitted to relate the blessing which was conferred on this confession.
Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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