When Jesus of Nazareth asked his talmidim (disciples), “Who do you say that I am?” the ebullient and outspoken Peter exclaimed, “Attah hu, haMashiach, ben Elohim hayim” (“You are he, the Messiah, Son of the living God.”) This simple affirmation immediately became the foundation of the Christian community when Jesus confirmed that the apostle’s insight had, in fact, been a divine revelation and when he subsequently declared to the disciples, “Upon this rock [revelation] I will build my community, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).
