Matthew 16:13-17 English Standard Version

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Jesus asks for an opinion. He gets several and we can read the scriptures to hear some other opinions hurled at Him as accusations. What He wanted to hear from His disciples was what the people were saying about Him behind His back. Another word for that is gossip.

Read the opening passages again carefully and note that Jesus does not say that Peter’s answer is true, only that the Father had revealed that to him. Peter only repeats the Father. We have to believe certain aspects about the character and personality of God the Father in order to state with any certainty that the answer given is the truth. God does not lie.

Did Peter know the answer He gave was a revelation at the time he heard it, or did he come to believe it was true because Jesus validated his answer? I do not know, it is not for me to say, I was not in Peter’s head at the time. Nor has God the Father blessed me with a revelation of what Peter knew at the time. My assertions about those possibilities are nothing more than opinions and speculation. That is not doctrine.

Recently I said I received a Word from the Lord. I entitled a devotional with that word. Did that Word come to me by revelation or was it a matter of self-talk? Everyone is free to have their own opinion. What matters is the subsequent studies and sharing. If God is in it, only the reader can say if God is speaking to them by revelation. I cannot say who will or will not be touched by God in what I share. I can only obey by faith what I believe He asks of me. Opinions are formed as a matter of intellect, education and understanding.

I can only answer for myself what I believe. I do not hold the opinion of others. This is not teaching. Devotionals are subject to validation by reading the scriptures and hearing by faith at the will of the Father to bring revelation from Him, not me.

I read the scriptures and share my opinion, revelation has to come from God the Father.

The truth is always more complicated.