Matthew 16:14 kjv
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 16:14 nkjv
So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 16:14 niv
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 16:14 esv
And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 16:14 nlt
"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."
Matthew 16 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text (shortened) | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mal. 4:5-6 | Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes... | Prophecy of Elijah's return before the Day of the Lord. |
| Mt. 14:1-2 | ...Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus... "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead..." | Herod's belief in John the Baptist's resurrection. |
| Mt. 11:13-14 | For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. | John the Baptist as the prophetic Elijah. |
| Lk. 9:7-8 | Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because some were saying that John had risen from the dead... but others, that Elijah had appeared; and others, that one of the old prophets had risen. | Parallel account of varied popular opinions about Jesus. |
| Mt. 17:10-13 | The disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and people did not recognize him..." | Jesus clarifies John as the spiritual fulfillment of Elijah's return. |
| Mk. 8:27-28 | ...he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” | Mark's parallel to the inquiry about public opinion. |
| Jn. 7:40-42 | When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?” | Shows diverse public opinions, some believing Him a prophet, some Messiah. |
| Deut. 18:15, 18 | “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—him you shall listen... I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers." | Prophecy of a great Prophet to come, potentially leading to the "one of the prophets" identification. |
| Acts 3:22-23 | Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.' | Peter's sermon, identifying Jesus as the fulfillment of the "Prophet like Moses." |
| Jer. 1:4-5, 10 | Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” | Jeremiah's call, identifying him as a significant prophet, lending weight to his perceived return. |
| Jer. 31:31-34 | “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah..." | Jeremiah prophesying a new covenant, making him a revered and impactful prophet. |
| 2 Ki. 2:11 | ...Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. | Elijah's unique departure from earth, fueling the belief in his return. |
| Lk. 9:18-20 | ...he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” | Emphasizes the shift from popular opinion to direct confession. |
| Mt. 16:15-16 | He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” | The contrast between public opinion and Peter's divinely revealed truth. |
| Isa. 53:2-3 | For he grew up before him like a young plant... he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men... | Reflects the initial misunderstanding of the suffering servant, a parallel to Jesus not being recognized. |
| Lk. 24:19 | He said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people..." | People's general perception of Jesus as a prophet, even after resurrection. |
| Lk. 7:16 | Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” | Recognition of Jesus as "a great prophet" after raising the widow's son. |
| Jn. 1:21 | They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” | John the Baptist explicitly denying he was Elijah or "the Prophet." |
| Mal. 3:1 | “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me..." | Prophecy of a messenger preceding the Lord, linked to John the Baptist. |
| 2 Macc. 2:1-8 | Jeremiah found a cave... bringing the ark, the tent, and the altar of incense... to this place until the time that God gathers His people together again. | Apocryphal tradition linking Jeremiah to Messianic expectations and future revelations, possibly contributing to his inclusion here. |
Matthew 16 verses
Matthew 16 14 Meaning
Matthew 16:14 details the disciples' report to Jesus regarding common perceptions of His identity among the people. The public, while recognizing Jesus' extraordinary prophetic power, viewed Him through the lens of past revered figures: some thought He was John the Baptist resurrected, others believed Him to be Elijah returned, still others considered Him Jeremiah, or simply "one of the prophets." This reveals a popular understanding that acknowledged Jesus' divine commissioning but profoundly missed His true, unique Messianic and divine Sonship. It sets the stage for Jesus to reveal a higher truth about Himself.
Matthew 16 14 Context
Matthew 16:14 is part of a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. It immediately follows Jesus' direct question to His disciples in Matthew 16:13, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" The disciples' answer in verse 14 provides a snapshot of the popular opinions circulating among the Jewish people, revealing a blend of awe, expectation, and fundamental misunderstanding. This general perception then serves as a foil for Jesus' subsequent, crucial question directly to His disciples in Matthew 16:15, "But who do you say that I am?", which leads to Peter's epochal confession and Jesus' foundational declaration about the Church.
Historically and culturally, the Jewish people lived with a profound expectation of the Messiah, often intertwined with anticipation of a revival of prophecy, which had been dormant for centuries since Malachi. Malachi 4:5-6, which prophesied Elijah's return before the great Day of the Lord, was deeply embedded in their eschatological hopes. Thus, identifying Jesus with Elijah, or even with a resurrected John the Baptist (who many believed was a reincarnation or manifestation of Elijah), fit within their understanding of pre-Messianic or Messianic prophetic figures. Jeremiah was revered as a prophet who endured great suffering and prophesied judgment and future restoration (Jer. 31:31-34), making his possible return a hopeful thought for some seeking a voice for the times. These responses underscore that while people recognized divine power and prophetic authority in Jesus, they struggled to transcend existing categories to grasp His unique identity as the Son of God and the Christ.
Matthew 16 14 Word analysis
- Εἶπαν (Eipan) – "They replied / said": This verb, aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), indicates a past action completed, highlighting the disciples' collective response. It implies they had observed and were reporting the public's widely known sentiments, rather than offering their own views at this initial point.
- οἱ μὲν (hoi men) – "Some": This is a specific use of the definite article with a particle, distinguishing a first group. It introduces the beginning of a spectrum of differing opinions among the populace.
- Ἰωάννην τὸν Βαπτιστήν (Iōannēn ton Baptistēn) – "John the Baptist": This specific identification is noteworthy, primarily fueled by Herod's own superstition (Mt. 14:1-2) after John's execution. It suggests a belief in resurrection or the re-embodiment of a prominent prophet, tying Jesus' power and prophetic work to the recent past.
- οἱ δὲ (hoi de) – "others / but others": Similar to "hoi men," this indicates another distinct group holding a different opinion. The "de" particle often marks a contrast or transition to another point in a list.
- Ἠλίαν (Ēlian) – "Elijah": This was a particularly strong popular identification due to the explicit prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 regarding Elijah's return before the Lord's great and terrible day. Elijah was known for his powerful miracles and fiery ministry (2 Ki. 1-2). His unique ascent into heaven (2 Ki. 2:11) fueled the expectation of his physical return.
- Ἰερεμίαν (Ieremian) – "Jeremiah": This is a less common but significant option. Jeremiah was known as the "weeping prophet" (Lam. 1:16, 2:11) due to his lamentations over Jerusalem and his sufferings for delivering God's challenging word. Jewish traditions, including apocryphal ones (e.g., 2 Macc. 2:1-8), sometimes linked him to Messianic expectations, seeing him as a prophet of profound sorrow and truth who might return. His mention suggests a yearning for a strong, mournful prophetic voice to address national sins.
- ἕνα τῶν προφητῶν (hena tōn prophētōn) – "one of the prophets": This is the broadest category. It reflects a general recognition that Jesus was a divinely inspired messenger, speaking with God's authority. This phrase implicitly references the Old Testament prophetic tradition, signifying that many perceived Jesus as continuing that lineage, though not necessarily fulfilling the role of the unique Messiah. It indicates an acknowledgment of His prophetic stature but limits His identity to that of merely a predecessor or type, not the ultimate fulfillment.
Matthew 16 14 Bonus section
- The responses in this verse showcase the contemporary Jewish belief in the possibility of reincarnation or, more commonly, the spiritual re-emergence of past prophetic figures, especially in anticipation of the Messianic age.
- Jesus' previous question, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?", subtly alludes to a more profound and authoritative identity (Dan. 7:13-14), an identity that the popular responses completely miss, instead defaulting to familiar human categories.
- The fact that the disciples reported "they replied" and not "we replied" emphasizes that the answers were from popular observation, not the disciples' personal convictions, making Peter's subsequent confession even more striking as a unique revelation.
- This verse underscores that even significant religious activity and power, as demonstrated by Jesus, do not guarantee correct theological identification if spiritual discernment is limited by conventional thinking.
Matthew 16 14 Commentary
Matthew 16:14 offers a crucial snapshot of public opinion about Jesus' identity, serving as a prelude to the central revelation of Peter's confession. The common people, recognizing Jesus' powerful teachings, miracles, and authority, could only categorize Him within the familiar framework of revered prophets of old. Their suggestions – John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or "one of the prophets" – reflect genuine awe and the lingering hope for prophetic revival, yet fundamentally fall short of His true, unique divine status. This failure to fully grasp His identity stemmed from relying on existing human paradigms and expectations, rather than a divinely revealed truth. It highlights the chasm between human speculation and divine revelation. Despite their varying interpretations, all acknowledged Jesus as sent by God, but none arrived at the full reality of Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This verse subtly contrasts human understanding, however reverent, with the deeper, essential truth about Christ, which requires divine illumination.