We are still in John 4, where the Jewish man at the well outside of Sychar told the scowled-upon, bucket-lady that she was very much barking up the right tree when she said,
“I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
“I am He,” Jesus quietly told her.
This was the $64,000 question for which that the entire Jewish population was seeking an answer.
Seems like Jesus hadn’t even told his disciples yet. Although Andrew, when he went to find Simon, after spending that first night at the Jesus Bed-N-Breakfast, told his brother, “We have found the Messiah.” [Jn 1.41]
But it seems like it was all hush-hush.
Everyone wondered.
No one dared ask.
Apparently, Jesus was not telling anyone other than Ms. Sama here at the well.
When Peter finally wrapped his talkative head around that truth in Mt 16.16 “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God,” Jesus got all excited:
“Hats off to you, Pete, wow! —you caught it!” [16.17]
“And now that we are talking nuts and bolts here, I want you all to know, I have a building project in mind.” [16.18]