Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 16:13

"Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?" — Matthew 16:13 (ASV)

Our Lord knew well enough what the people thought of Him, but He asked His disciples the question so that He might instruct them using the Socratic method by drawing out their own minds. Our Lord was about to inform them about His death, and it was important that they should have very clear ideas about who He was.

He begins by asking, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Human opinions about heavenly things count for little, yet it is also good to know them so that we may be prepared to withstand them.