Mark 8:28

28 ¹They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets."

Mark 8:28 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 8:28

And they answered
That some said he was

John the Baptist;
which was the opinion of Herod, and others:

but some say Elias;
that is the "Tishbite", whom the Jews in general expected in person before the coming of the Messiah and imagined that Jesus was he:

and others one of the prophets;
as Jeremiah or Isaiah or some other. The Vulgate Latin reads, "as one of the prophets"; and so Beza's ancient copy as in ( Mark 6:15 ) . All spake highly and honourably of him: the people in common did not look upon him as a mean person; they perceived by his doctrine and more especially by his miracles that he was an extraordinary one: the several persons which they differently took him to be and make mention of were such as were of great repute; as John the Baptist, who had lately, been among them and whom all held to be a prophet, and indeed was more than a prophet; and Elias who was so very zealous for the Lord of hosts and wrought many miracles in his day; and whose coming the Jews were in expectation of to usher in the Messiah; and none thought him less than one of the prophets; and all agreed he was an uncommon man; even one raised from the dead as he must be, if he was John the Baptist or Elias or one of the old prophets; but they knew him not at least did not confess him to be the Messiah; he not appearing as a temporal prince, they were taught to believe he would be; (See Gill on Matthew 16:14).

Mark 8:28 In-Context

26 And He sent him to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."

27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?"

28 They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets."

29 And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

Cross References

• 1. Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7, 8