Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 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. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (Matt. 16:13–20)
In this Scripture, Jesus uses his rhetorical style to lead Peter to understand his role. Jesus doesn't ask questions because he needs to know the answer; he asks questions to cause the subject to think.
Observational Question
Jesus asks the disciples a question that has concrete observable answer. They answer it correctly, giving the several categories of Jesus' identity.
Follow-up Question
After receiving an accurate answer, Jesus drills down to the point: "Who do YOU say I am?" At this point Jesus knows they've identified what the crowds think, and he knows they've thought about it. Now he calls on them personally to take a risk and tell him what they really think.
Confirmation and Affirmation
When Peter answers the question correctly Jesus exclaims that he is correct, giving him both confirmation and affirmation on what he just said. He will likely not forget that the teacher was so pleased with his answer.
Explanation
Jesus could have ended with a confirmation, but he didn't. It would have likely gone to Peter's head. Jesus takes this as a teaching time so that they learn that faith isn't by deductive reasoning, inductive hypothesis, or emotional experience--it's the active work of the Father in heaven.
Empowerment
Finally, Jesus used the lessons that the disciples learned through this interaction to empower them to use the knowledge. Jesus paints the picture of a quite extraordinary circumstance. This fisherman was not only going to go to heaven, but have the keys--how could this be? He was going to somehow assault the gates of hell with more power and authority than all of the demons that hold them in place?
Knowing that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God has enough authority to give sinners a seat in heaven and the power to stare down the gates of hell and all of its demons and be unafraid, because of the unlimited power of God the Father.
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