When it comes to the person of Jesus of Nazareth there are a plethora of views as to his nature, his work, and his teaching. For many people, Jesus is a great moral teacher, a model to follow. Others find his to be something of a religious philosopher who provokes people to think. Still others accept him to be God in the flesh.
In Mark 8, Jesus himself raises the stakes as he reveals not only his power, but sets before people the reality that they must make a decision as to who he is. In Mark 8:1–21 Jesus moves the listener to evaluate how they will take him, and he gives warnings about getting this wrong.