Jesus hadn't asked them just to find out what the
chief priests and the Pharisees had thought about
Him. He knew they believed He was an imposter
and a charlatan.

But the people believed He was a prophet. They
admired His teachings and wondered at His
miracles.

The question in Jesus' mind was what His disciples
thought of Him. And Peter, without thinking, not
only gave Him the title of Messiah, but also the
Son of God.