Luke 9:8

8 others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up.

Luke 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:8

And of some, that Elias had appeared
Who had been translated, body and soul, to heaven, and whom the Jews expected a little before the coming of the Messiah:

and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again;
that is, one of the former prophets. It is well known, that the Jews distinguish the prophets into the former and latter; the books of the prophets of the Old Testament are so distinguished; the writings of the former prophets are those of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 of Samuel, and the first and second of Kings: the latter prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, which are the greater prophets, and the twelve lesser ones: and in the Talmud ^F17 it is asked,

``who are (Mynwvarh Myaybn) , "the former prophets?" Says R. Huna, they are David, Samuel, and Solomon--and why are they called former prophets? to except (or distinguish) them from Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi, who are the latter.''

So that by one of the old prophets, may be meant one of those that were before the times of Elias, as Samuel or David.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 T. Bab. Sota, fol. 48. 2.

Luke 9:8 In-Context

6 Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

7 Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn't know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead,

8 others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up.

9 Herod said, "But I killed John - took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?" Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

10 The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida.