Luke 9:8

8 and by certain, that Elijah did appear, and by others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;

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 And going forth they were going through the several villages, proclaiming good news, and healing everywhere.

7 And Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things being done by him, and was perplexed, because it was said by certain, that John hath been raised out of the dead;

8 and by certain, that Elijah did appear, and by others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;

9 and Herod said, `John I did behead, but who is this concerning whom I hear such things?' and he was seeking to see him.

10 And the apostles having turned back, declared to him how great things they did, and having taken them, he withdrew by himself to a desert place of a city called Bethsaida,