Verse 20 We ourselves associate so strongly with every portion of the Savior's life the idea that he was the Messiah, that it is, difficult for us to realize that thus far, there had been no positive evidence brought before the minds of the disciples that he was really the promised Redeemer. Even this conversation does not seem to contain an absolute and direct acknowledgment of it. John the Baptist had before sent some of his disciples to put the question to him, but they received an indirect answer. (Luke 7:19-23.) The demoniacs were in some cases disposed to proclaim him as the Christ, or Messiah; but he always suppressed their intentions; so that, hitherto, a great uncertainty had hung over the minds of the disciples in respect to the person and character of their Master; and, from subsequent remarks made by the apostles, it would appear that all doubt on this subject was not even now entirely removed. Luke 9:21-26. By these remarks,--addressed first (Luke 9:22) to the disciples and then (Luke 9:23-26) to all his followers,--Jesus intends to check the worldly and ambitious aspirations which they might have been forming, now that they began really to believe that their Master was the Messiah;--supposing, too, that the kingdom of the Messiah was to be established in great outward splendor.