Luke 9:8

8 Others said, "Elijah has come to us." And still others said, "One of the prophets who lived long ago has risen from the dead."

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 So the apostles went out and traveled through all the towns, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere.

7 Herod, the governor, heard about all the things that were happening and was confused, because some people said, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead."

8 Others said, "Elijah has come to us." And still others said, "One of the prophets who lived long ago has risen from the dead."

9 Herod said, "I cut off John's head, so who is this man I hear such things about?" And Herod kept trying to see Jesus.

10 When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then Jesus took them with him to a town called Bethsaida where they could be alone together.