Titles of Jesus, Peter’s Declaration and Transfiguration

Topic 12: Titles of Jesus, Peter’s Declaration and Transfiguration

Titles of Jesus

Why Are The Titles Important?

The titles used for Jesus help explain:

His identity.
His mission.
His relationship with God.
His role in God’s plan for humanity.

The three most important titles in the syllabus are:

Messiah (Christ)
Son of God
Son of Man

Messiah (Christ)

Meaning

Messiah means:

“Anointed One.”

Greek equivalent:

Christ.

Old Testament Background

Kings were often:

Anointed with oil.
Chosen by God.

Jews expected:

A future Messiah.
A deliverer sent by God.

Jewish Expectations of the Messiah

Many Jews expected:

Political Leader

Defeat Romans.
Restore Jewish independence.

Military Leader

Lead Israel to victory.

King Like David

Rule Israel.
Restore greatness.

Jesus and the Messiah Title

Jesus accepted being Messiah.

However:

Redefined what Messiah meant.
Rejected military revolution.
Focused on spiritual salvation.

Significance

Jesus taught:

Messiah would suffer.
Messiah would die.
Messiah would rise again.

This confused many Jews.

Son of God

Meaning

Expresses:

Unique relationship with God.
Divine authority.
Divine identity.

Evidence in the Gospels

Baptism

Voice from Heaven:

“This is my beloved Son.”

Transfiguration

Voice from Heaven:

“This is my Son.”

Miracles

Demonstrate divine authority.

Resurrection

Ultimate confirmation of divine sonship.

Importance

Shows:

Jesus is more than a prophet.
Jesus has unique relationship with God.
Jesus acts with divine authority.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change

Son of Man

Meaning

Most common title Jesus used for himself.

Old Testament Background

Comes from Daniel 7.

Figure described as:

Receiving authority.
Receiving power.
Receiving eternal kingdom.

How Jesus Used The Title

Present Ministry

Authority to forgive sins.

Future Suffering

Son of Man must suffer.
Son of Man must die.

Future Glory

Son of Man will return in power.

Importance

Combines:

Humility.
Suffering.
Authority.
Future glory.

Comparison of the Three Titles

Title	Main Emphasis
Messiah	God’s promised deliverer
Son of God	Divine identity
Son of Man	Suffering, authority and future glory

Peter’s Declaration (Matthew 16:13–20)

Location

Caesarea Philippi

Jesus asked disciples:

“Who do people say that I am?”

Public Opinions

Disciples replied:

Some people believed Jesus was:

John the Baptist

Returned from the dead.

Elijah

Great prophet returned.

Jeremiah

Prophet sent by God.

Another Prophet

Messenger from God.

Significance

People recognised Jesus was important.

However:

Most did not fully understand his identity.

Jesus’ Question

Jesus asked:

“But who do you say that I am?”

Importance

Moves discussion from public opinion to personal belief.

Peter’s Declaration

Peter replied:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Significance

One of the most important statements in the Gospel.

Peter recognises:

Jesus is Messiah.
Jesus is Son of God.

Jesus’ Response

Divine Revelation

Jesus explains:

Peter did not discover this alone.
God revealed this truth.

Importance

Shows:

True understanding comes from God.
Jesus’ identity is divinely revealed.

The Rock

Jesus says:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

Interpretations

Catholic View

Peter himself is the rock.
Basis of Church leadership.

Protestant View

Peter’s faith is the rock.
Confession is foundation.

Authority Given to Peter

Jesus speaks of:

Keys of the Kingdom

Symbolise:

Authority.
Responsibility.
Leadership.

Binding and Loosing

Symbolise:

Spiritual authority.
Teaching authority.

Importance of Peter’s Declaration

Recognition of Jesus

First clear declaration by disciple.

Turning Point

Major moment in Gospel narrative.

Preparation

Leads into discussion of suffering and death.

Jesus Foretells His Death (Matthew 16:21–23)

First Prediction

Jesus predicts:

Suffering.
Rejection.
Death.
Resurrection.

Peter’s Response

Peter objects.

Reason:

Messiah should not suffer.
Messiah should not die.

Jesus’ Response

“Get behind me, Satan.”

Meaning

Peter unknowingly opposes God’s plan.

Significance

Shows misunderstanding of Messiah’s mission.

The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–13)

What Is The Transfiguration?

Meaning

Transformation of Jesus’ appearance.

Participants

Jesus takes:

Peter.
James.
John.

To a high mountain.

The Transformation

Appearance

Jesus’ face:

Shone like the sun.

Jesus’ clothes:

Became dazzling white.

Significance

Reveals:

Divine glory.
Heavenly nature.
True identity.

Moses Appears

Significance

Represents:

Law.

Importance

Shows Jesus fulfils Law.

Elijah Appears

Significance

Represents:

Prophets.

Importance

Shows Jesus fulfils prophetic expectations.

Moses and Elijah Together

Represent:

Entire Old Testament.
Law and Prophets.

Significance

Demonstrates Jesus’ superiority.

Peter’s Reaction

Peter suggests:

Building three shelters.

Reason

Awe.
Excitement.
Desire to remain.

Importance

Shows incomplete understanding.

The Cloud

Symbolism

Cloud often symbolises:

God’s presence.

Examples:

Exodus.
Tabernacle.
Temple.

Voice From Heaven

God declares:

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

Importance

Confirms:

Son of God title.
Divine approval.
Divine authority.

Why Is The Transfiguration Important?

Reveals Jesus’ Identity

Son of God.
Divine Messiah.

Strengthens Disciples

Prepares them for crucifixion.

Connects Old and New Testaments

Moses and Elijah present.

Demonstrates Glory Beyond Suffering

Suffering will not be final.
Resurrection glory anticipated.

Examination Focus

Why Is Messiah An Important Title?

Shows Jesus is promised deliverer.
Central to Christian belief.

Why Is Son of God Important?

Demonstrates divine identity.
Shows unique relationship with God.

Why Is Son of Man Important?

Combines suffering and glory.
Jesus’ preferred title.

Why Is Peter’s Declaration Important?

First clear recognition by disciple.
Turning point in Gospel.

Why Is The Transfiguration Important?

Reveals divine glory.
Confirms Son of God title.
Links Jesus with Law and Prophets.
Prepares disciples for future events.

Evaluation Chain

“The Title Son of Man Is More Important Than Messiah.”

Agree

Most frequently used by Jesus.
Explains suffering and glory.
Avoids political misunderstandings.

Disagree

Messiah central to Jewish expectations.
Peter’s declaration focuses on Messiah.
Core Christian belief.

Judgement

Both are important, but Son of Man often provides a fuller understanding of Jesus’ mission.

EAC

Education

Support

Other Projects

Want To Teach Online?