Mark 9 4

Mark 9:4 kjv

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:4 nkjv

And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:4 niv

And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:4 esv

And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:4 nlt

Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 4 Meaning

Mark 9:4 describes a pivotal moment during the Transfiguration where, in a dazzling display of divine glory, the venerable figures of Elijah and Moses supernaturally appeared alongside Jesus. This appearance served as a powerful divine endorsement, symbolizing that Jesus is the culmination and fulfillment of the entire Old Testament—Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the Prophets. Their presence and conversation with Jesus affirm His divine authority, His unique position as the Messiah, and the integral role His forthcoming suffering and resurrection (His "exodus" as per Lk 9:31) play in God's redemptive plan, confirmed by the scriptures and history of Israel.

Mark 9 4 Context

Mark 9:4 occurs within the narrative of Jesus' Transfiguration, an event that directly follows Peter's profound confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mk 8:29) and Jesus' subsequent, unsettling prediction of His own suffering, death, and resurrection (Mk 8:31-33). Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John—His inner circle of disciples—to a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them. This revelation of Jesus' divine glory and conversation with Moses and Elijah is strategically placed by Mark to further reveal Jesus' identity and divine authority to the disciples, who were struggling to reconcile His messianic identity with the concept of suffering and death. It serves as a pivotal moment of divine validation and comfort, preparing them (and Jesus Himself) for the difficult path ahead, reinforcing that Jesus' suffering is part of God's divine plan, affirmed by all that came before.

Mark 9 4 Word analysis

• And there appeared: Greek kai ōphthē (καὶ ὤφθη). The term ōphthē (from horaō) is in the aorist passive, literally "it was made to be seen" or "he/they were made to appear." This emphasizes that the appearance was a divine act, not something humanly initiated. It signifies a supernatural, sudden manifestation, an act of God. This divine initiative underscores the theological weight of what is being revealed.
• to them: Refers specifically to Peter, James, and John, the three disciples chosen by Jesus to witness this profound event. Their selection highlights their unique role as key witnesses to Jesus' most intimate revelations.
• Elijah: Greek Hēlias (Ηλίας). This figure represents the Prophets, the second major division of the Old Testament Scriptures. His significance lies in his bold prophetic ministry, his unique non-death departure to heaven (2 Kgs 2:11), and the prophetic expectation of his return before the coming of the Messiah (Mal 4:5-6). His presence validates Jesus as the one about whom the prophets spoke.
• with: Greek syn (σύν). Indicates presence and accompaniment. Not just separate appearances, but together, in unity with Moses and Jesus.
• Moses: Greek Mōusēs (Μωϋσῆς). Represents the Law (the Torah), the first major division of the Old Testament. Moses was the central figure of Israel's covenant with God, the Lawgiver, the leader of the Exodus, and the one through whom God revealed His will on Mount Sinai. His appearance here connects Jesus directly to the covenantal history of Israel and presents Him as the fulfiller of the Law.
• and they were talking with Jesus: Greek kai ēsan proslalountes tō Iēsou (καὶ ἦσαν προσλαλοῦντες τῷ Ἰησοῦ).
  • Ēsan proslalountes: "They were talking." The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing conversation, not a fleeting appearance. It conveys the impression that the disciples saw them engaged in a sustained dialogue.
  • Proslalountes: A compound verb pros (to/with) + laleō (to speak). It emphasizes the engagement in discourse, conversing with. This detail, expanded in Luke 9:31, reveals the subject of their conversation was Jesus' "departure" (exodos) which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem – referring to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This shows the Law and Prophets anticipating and confirming the essential core of Jesus' mission.

Mark 9 4 Bonus section

The choice of Moses and Elijah holds deep symbolic significance. Both figures experienced unique encounters with God on mountains (Sinai/Horeb), saw aspects of His glory, and represented crucial moments in Israel's salvation history. Their joint appearance suggests that all divine revelation through the Law and the Prophets converges in Jesus. This moment elevates Jesus above even these great historical figures; He is not just a prophet or a lawgiver, but the very Son of God, to whom Moses and Elijah testify. Furthermore, this vision provided strength and assurance to Jesus Himself, preparing Him for the ultimate "exodus" (His journey to Jerusalem, His suffering, death, and resurrection) which would bring about the new covenant, far surpassing the old. The transfiguration can be seen as a glimpse of the kingdom of God come in power (Mk 9:1), revealing Jesus as the King in glory, anticipated by His people, confirmed by His prophets and lawgivers, and eternally upheld by the Father's own voice.

Mark 9 4 Commentary

Mark 9:4 is integral to understanding Jesus' identity and mission. The appearance of Moses and Elijah is not merely a vision but a theological revelation. Moses and Elijah embody the Law and the Prophets, validating Jesus as their complete fulfillment. Their conversation with Jesus concerning His "exodus" (Lk 9:31) reveals that His impending suffering and death were not an unfortunate detour but the very culmination of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. This event underscores that Jesus stands as the supreme authority, fulfilling the entirety of divine revelation that came before Him. The disciples witness a preview of Jesus' divine glory, intended to strengthen their faith and understanding despite their ongoing struggle to grasp the concept of a suffering Messiah. It is a moment of profound confirmation for Jesus as the beloved Son, supreme over the past dispensations, leading Israel to a new covenant inaugurated through His sacrifice.