Luke 9:8 kjv
And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
Luke 9:8 nkjv
and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
Luke 9:8 niv
others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.
Luke 9:8 esv
by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.
Luke 9:8 nlt
Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.
Luke 9 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mal 4:5 | Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming... | Prophecy of Elijah's return before the Lord's great day. |
| Lk 1:17 | And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias... | John the Baptist fulfilling the spirit and power of Elijah. |
| Mt 11:13-14 | For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John... this is Elias, which was for to come. | Jesus' own teaching on John the Baptist as Elijah. |
| Mt 17:10-13 | ...Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already... | Disciples ask about Elijah; Jesus identifies John as Elijah. |
| Mk 9:11-13 | And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?... But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come... | Parallel account of disciples asking about Elijah and Jesus' reply. |
| Jn 1:21 | And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not... | John the Baptist explicitly denying he is Elijah, despite fulfilling a similar role. |
| Deut 18:15 | The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee... | Prophecy of a prophet like Moses. |
| Lk 7:16 | And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us... | After Jesus raises the widow's son, people identify Him as a great prophet. |
| Lk 24:19 | ...Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: | Cleopas on the road to Emmaus describing Jesus as a mighty prophet. |
| Jn 4:19 | The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. | The Samaritan woman acknowledging Jesus' prophetic insight. |
| Jn 6:14 | Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. | People identifying Jesus as "the Prophet" after feeding the five thousand. |
| Jn 7:40 | Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. | Another instance of people recognizing Jesus as "the Prophet." |
| Jn 9:17 | They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. | The man born blind recognizing Jesus' prophetic power. |
| Acts 3:22-23 | For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me... | Peter linking Jesus to the Prophet foretold by Moses in Deut 18. |
| Lk 9:7 | Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; | Herod's initial perplexity and his primary suspicion: John the Baptist's return. |
| Lk 9:9 | And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. | Herod's continued inquiry and desire to see Jesus. |
| Mt 14:1-2 | At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus... And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead... | Parallel account of Herod associating Jesus with John the Baptist. |
| Mk 6:14-16 | And king Herod heard of him... And he said, It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead. | Parallel account of Herod's fear and conviction regarding John the Baptist. |
| Mt 16:13-16 | When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. | Public opinion about Jesus, directly mentioned as Elias or a prophet, similar to Lk 9:8. |
| Mk 8:27-29 | ...Whom do men say that I am?... And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, one of the prophets. | Parallel account to Matt 16 and Luke 9 on public perception. |
| Lk 9:20 | He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. | Peter's pivotal confession contrasting with popular opinion. |
| Job 19:25-27 | For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth... | Old Testament expression of hope in resurrection and future Redeemer. |
| Dan 12:2 | And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. | Old Testament prophecy of a future general resurrection. |
| Acts 23:8 | For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. | Highlights the two main Jewish sects' differing views on resurrection. |
| Jn 1:10-11 | He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. | Overall theme of the world's misunderstanding and rejection of Jesus. |
Luke 9 verses
Luke 9 8 Meaning
This verse conveys the varied and mistaken theories held by people about Jesus, which were then reported to Herod Antipas. Specifically, it details two distinct popular opinions: some believed Jesus to be Elijah, who was prophesied to return, while others concluded that He was one of the ancient prophets restored to life from the dead. These theories illustrate the prevalent struggle to comprehend Jesus' true identity amidst His remarkable teachings and powerful works, indicating a lack of understanding of His divine Sonship and unique mission.
Luke 9 8 Context
Luke chapter 9 begins with Jesus empowering and sending out the twelve apostles to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. Following their mission and return, news of Jesus' powerful works and teachings reaches Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. This verse (Luke 9:8) is part of a brief interlude (Luke 9:7-9) that describes Herod's deep perplexity and curiosity about Jesus' identity. Earlier in verse 7, it's mentioned that some believed Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead (a notion particularly troubling for Herod, who had beheaded John). Luke 9:8 then broadens the scope to include other popular theories among the people, indicating the widespread debate and confusion surrounding Jesus' persona. This entire passage (Luke 9:7-9) sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent question to His disciples in Luke 9:18 and Peter's confession of Christ in Luke 9:20, revealing the contrast between popular conjecture and divine revelation regarding His true identity. The historical context reflects a Jewish populace awaiting significant prophetic figures—like Elijah before the Messiah, or "the Prophet" like Moses—and grappling with concepts of resurrection, making these specific theories plausible within their worldview.
Luke 9 8 Word analysis
- and by some,: This phrase highlights that the belief was held by certain individuals within the population, not everyone, indicating a division of opinion. It implies multiple circulating theories, demonstrating the variety of conjectures about Jesus.
- that Elias:
- Original Greek: Ēlias (Ἠλίας) - the transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elijah.
- Significance: Elijah was one of the most revered prophets in Israel's history. His miraculous departure (taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, 2 Kgs 2:11) and the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, which foretold his return "before the great and dreadful day of the LORD," fueled a strong expectation among the Jewish people that Elijah would reappear as a forerunner to the Messiah. This belief reveals an attempt by some to place Jesus within known prophetic expectations.
- had appeared: This conveys the idea that Elijah had supernaturally materialized or returned from the unseen realm. It signifies a perceived literal return of the ancient prophet.
- and by others,: Similar to "and by some," this denotes another distinct group with a differing, though related, opinion, reinforcing the existence of various interpretations concerning Jesus' identity.
- that one: Refers to an unidentified individual, implying that this specific resurrected figure was not universally named, unlike Elijah.
- of the old prophets: This signifies general prophetic figures from Israel's past, distinct from Elijah, suggesting individuals like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or another significant prophet had been brought back to life. It demonstrates an acknowledgment of Jesus' prophetic power and stature, yet a limitation in recognizing His unique, supreme status.
- was risen again:
- Original Greek: anestē (ἀνέστη) - derived from anistēmi, meaning "to stand up again," "to rise," especially from the dead.
- Significance: This implies a bodily resurrection. While Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, Pharisees and the common populace did (Acts 23:8, Dan 12:2). This theory reflects the popular belief in the possibility of resurrection for prominent figures and an attempt to categorize Jesus within their understanding of divine intervention in history, often linking His power to a renewed appearance of a historical prophetic figure.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "and by some, that Elias had appeared;": This highlights the strong messianic and eschatological anticipation rooted in the Old Testament. The belief that Jesus was Elijah demonstrated the people's engagement with prophetic literature and their earnest expectation of the Messiah's advent, for whom Elijah was seen as the herald. However, it ultimately missed Jesus' true identity as the Christ.
- "and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.": This second view speaks to a recognition of Jesus' undeniable prophetic anointing and powerful deeds, which reminded them of ancient, mighty prophets. It indicates the people’s struggle to reconcile Jesus' miracles and teaching with a new category beyond known biblical figures, hence falling back on the idea of a returned prophet. This also shows their grasp of God's power to raise the dead, yet limited application to Jesus' unique role. Both theories underscore the people's search for an explanation that fit their existing spiritual framework.
Luke 9 8 Bonus section
The theories presented in Luke 9:8 are ironically incomplete. While the people rightly associated Jesus with great prophets and recognized the power of resurrection (even if for specific individuals), they failed to connect these observations to the Messianic prophecies and understand Jesus' divine nature as the Son of God and the Christ. Their perceptions were correct in recognizing extraordinary prophetic anointing, but fundamentally flawed in comprehending the unique identity of the One they encountered. This intellectual and spiritual struggle in discerning Jesus' identity also serves as a critical backdrop to the disciples' own journey of faith, specifically Peter's pivotal confession that immediately follows in the narrative.
Luke 9 8 Commentary
Luke 9:8 serves as a pivotal verse, encapsulating the deep public uncertainty and varied speculations about Jesus' identity immediately preceding Peter's definitive confession of Him as "the Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). While Herod's initial fear was centered on John the Baptist being raised (Luke 9:7), this verse reveals the broader range of interpretations circulating among the common people.
The belief that Jesus was Elijah points directly to the fervent expectation rooted in Malachi 4:5-6, where Elijah was prophesied to return as a harbinger of the Day of the Lord. For many Jews, a visible reappearance of Elijah would precede the coming of the Messiah. Jesus' powerful works, ascetic lifestyle (as John the Baptist), and prophetic utterances may have caused some to associate Him directly with the revered prophet who ascended to heaven without seeing death. This illustrates a sincere, though misguided, attempt to fit Jesus into a prophetic mold prescribed by their sacred texts.
The alternative theory, that Jesus was "one of the old prophets risen again," signifies an acknowledgment of Jesus' undeniable prophetic authority and mighty works, reminiscent of ancient figures like Jeremiah, Elisha, or Isaiah. His powerful teaching, profound insights, and miracles clearly set Him apart from ordinary men. People recognized in Him a spirit of power and revelation akin to the prophets of old. This belief, however, limited their understanding of Jesus, preventing them from seeing His unique status as God incarnate. They believed in God's power to resurrect individuals, but their view remained tethered to historical precedents rather than discerning His divine Sonship and unparalleled mission.
These popular theories highlight the spiritual blindness that permeated the populace, unable to grasp the radical uniqueness of Jesus. While acknowledging His extraordinary nature, they projected familiar prophetic categories onto Him. This passage underscores the fundamental difference between human conjecture and divine revelation concerning who Jesus truly is, setting the stage for Peter's Spirit-illuminated confession and subsequently, Jesus' revelation of His path to the cross and resurrection. The very existence of such diverse theories reveals a time of profound spiritual inquiry, yet one marked by the inadequacy of human wisdom to fully comprehend God's unfolding plan of salvation in Christ.