The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the visible text in the image, which references the biblical accounts in Matthew 16 and Mark 8, the correct answer is The Messiah.
Explanation
In the pivotal biblical passages of Matthew 16:13-20 and Mark 8:27-30, the term Peter uses to define his understanding of Jesus is “The Messiah.” This declaration serves as a climatic moment in both Gospel narratives. It marks a significant turning point in the disciples’ journey with Jesus and crystallizes their dawning realization of his true identity.
The context for this confession is a conversation initiated by Jesus in the region of Caesarea Philippi. He first asks his disciples a general question about public opinion, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples report the common beliefs of the time; some think he is John the Baptist returned, others believe he is the prophet Elijah, and still others see him as a prophet like Jeremiah. These answers, while placing Jesus in a category of great spiritual figures, fall short of recognizing his unique nature and mission.
Jesus then makes the question intensely personal, asking his closest followers, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, often acting as the group’s spokesman, delivers a definitive answer. In Mark’s Gospel, his response is concise and direct: “You are the Messiah.” Matthew’s account presents an expanded yet parallel confession, with Peter stating, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
The title “Messiah,” which is “Christ” in Greek, is profoundly significant. It means “Anointed One” and refers to the long-awaited savior king promised in Jewish scripture, who was expected to deliver Israel and establish God’s righteous kingdom on earth. Peter’s declaration is not merely an opinion but a foundational confession of faith. It identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It is this specific identification that distinguishes the disciples’ belief from the general speculation of the crowds, making “The Messiah” the correct and most precise answer.
