The Christ (so also New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version) is no more than a transliteration of the Greek, concerning which one commentator observes: “The transliteration of the Gr. Christos by Christ in various English versions is inexcusable … In its original context the question posed by Jesus and answered by Peter as spokesman demanded commitment to Jesus as Messiah.” Together with Good News Translation, both New English Bible and New American Bible have “Messiah.” On the meaning of the title “the Messiah” see comments at 1.17 and 1.1. In the present passage the title occurs both here and again in verse 20, where it appears in the words of Jesus. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates the first occurrence as “you are Christ,” with a reference to the word list, where “Christ” is defined as “the Promised Savior.” Then the command of Jesus to his disciples in verse 20 is rendered “Tell no one that I am the Promised Savior.” It seems better to render the term as “the Promised Savior” in each of these occurrences (or to use whatever translation has been used elsewhere; see comments at 1.1). Then the ordinary reader will understand that when Jesus uses “the Promised Savior” (verse 20), his point of reference is Peter’s confession of him as “the Promised Savior” (verse 16). Good News Translation maintains this continuity by rendering “the Messiah” in both places, but the term is probably not understood by a majority of English readers.

The Son of the living God is a title that occurs only here in the New Testament. In 3.17 “a voice from heaven” refers to Jesus as “my beloved Son,” and in 14.33 the disciples confess “Truly you are the Son of God.” But the full formula as it occurs here is found nowhere else in the New Testament. In the Old Testament and in Judaism, “Son of God” is rather frequently used of persons whom God has chosen to act in his behalf and for the benefit of his people. However, as the confession occurs in the New Testament, it speaks of Jesus’ divine origin and of his deity. See also 14.33 where “Son of God” is discussed.

Living affirms that God possesses life himself and is the source of all life. The confession that Jesus is the Son of the living God means that in a unique way Jesus shares in that life, and that he himself has power to impart life to others. Translators have generally followed one of two ways to render living God. Some make the term contrast with other gods who are not living: “that God (or, our God) who is alive (or, who lives forever).” Others have made living more an attribute of God: “God, who is alive” or “God, who lives forever.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .