Luke 9:18-19

The fact that this incident happened near Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27) was insignificant to Luke. He may have viewed it as a distracting detail even though the event transpired in Gentile territory.

However, Luke alone mentioned that Jesus was praying. He may have done so to tie this incident to the feeding of the 5,000 when Jesus also prayed (Luke 9:16). Thus he presented the feeding and the revelation to Peter as coming in answer to prayer. Jesus’ exemplary dependence on His Father is one of Luke’s unique emphases (cf. Luke 3:21; Luke 6:12; Luke 11:1; et al.). He showed Jesus praying before many important events in His ministry. He was evidently praying privately, though the disciples were with Him (cf. Luke 11:1).

Jesus focused attention on the crucial issue of His identity with His question. He wanted the disciples to tell Him who the crowds (Gr. ochloi, the uncommitted masses) believed Him to be. He meant what role did the people believe He fulfilled. The disciples responded with the views that Luke had already revealed (cf. Luke 9:7-8).