Jesus' Question to the Crowd: Who is this crowd

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Twenty Fifth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Lk 9:18-22*

*First Reading : Hg 2:1-9*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 43:1, 2, 3, 4*

*Jesus' Question to the Crowd: Who is this crowd*

*"Who do the crowds say that I am?”*

*1) Who are the Crowds*

In the Gospels, "the crowds" often refer to:

Ordinary people following Jesus: the curious, the hopeful, the desperate.

Uncommitted masses: those drawn by miracles or novelty, not necessarily by conviction.

Culturally conditioned individuals: their ideas are shaped by rumors, messianic expectations, politics, and religious leadership.

The crowd does not always represent the truth—it reflects the mood, expectations, and limited understanding of the moment. 

Public opinion is not always wrong, but it is rarely whole.

*2) The Role of Public Opinion*

Jesus’ question invites reflection on how others see us versus who we really are. 

The disciples respond:

“Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” (Luke 9:19)

This shows that the crowd sees glimpses of truth, but also misunderstands or reinterprets Jesus based on familiar categories.

We often filter truth through what we already know. 

The crowd doesn’t yet see Jesus as the Messiah because that idea is too radical, too uncomfortable, or too different from their expectations.

*3) Why This Question Matters*

Jesus doesn’t ask because He’s unsure of Himself. He’s inviting the disciples (and us) to:

Discern truth from noise

Consider the difference between reputation and reality

Are we following the crowd, or do we have our own conviction?

He follows up with the piercing question:

“But who do you say that I am?”

— A deeply personal, faith-defining moment.

Truth requires personal insight, not just consensus. The crowd may start a conversation, but only personal encounter leads to revelation.

*4) Modern Implications*

Today, the "crowd" is bigger and louder—social media, news, public discourse. Popular opinions shift rapidly. Like in Jesus’ time:

Some admire faith for its ethics

Some reduce Jesus to a moral teacher

Others reject Him outright

We must ask:

“Am I being shaped by the crowd, or by a genuine search for truth?”

This applies not just to faith, but to identity, leadership, and values. Crowd dynamics often hide nuance and silence deeper voices.

*5) Final Spiritual Reflection*

Jesus' question remains timeless:

“Who do the crowds say that I am?”

“Who do you say that I am?”

It challenges us to move from hearsay to personal revelation, from vague belief to intentional faith.

Would you like a version of this as a reflection for a talk, sermon, or study group?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*