After a day of questions comes the “Question of the Day.” It was this discussion that really brought matters to a head. Jesus took the initiative and brought the question of his own identity before his hearers. It has been the central issue of Christianity ever since. Popular expectation centered in a coming “Son of David” or Messiah, a hope going back to 2 Sam 7:11–16 and developed by the prophets of Israel and especially at Qumran and among the Pharisees who prayed the