John Calvin 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)

And when Jesus came to the coasts of Cesarea Philippi. Mark says that this conversation took place during the journey. Luke says that it took place while he was praying, and while no one was with him except his disciples. Matthew is not as exact in mentioning the time. All three unquestionably relate the same narrative; and it is possible that Christ may have stopped at a certain place during that journey to pray, and that afterwards he may have put the question to his disciples.

There were two towns called Cesarea, of which the former was more celebrated and had anciently been called The Tower of Strato; while the latter, which is mentioned here, was situated at the foot of Mount Lebanon, not far from the river Jordan. It is for the sake of distinguishing between these two towns that Philippi is added to the name; for though it is conjectured by some to have been built on the same spot where the town of Dan formerly stood, yet, as it had recently been rebuilt by Philip the Tetrarch, it was called Philippi.⁴³⁷

Who do men say that I am? This might be supposed to mean, What was the current rumor about the Redeemer, who became the Son of man? But the question is quite different: What do men think about Jesus the Son of Mary? He calls himself, according to custom, the Son of man, as if to say, Now that, clothed in flesh, I inhabit the earth like other men, what is the opinion entertained about me? The design of Christ was to confirm his disciples fully in the true faith, that they might not be tossed about amidst various reports, as we shall presently see.

⁴³⁷ “On la nommoit Cesaree de Philippe;” — “it was named Cesarea of Philip.”;” — “it was named Cesarea of Philip.”