Mark 8:28

28 And they told him, ¹“John the Baptist; and others say, ²Elijah; and 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 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am? ”

28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets. ”

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am? ”Peter answered him, “You are the Christ. ”

30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

Cross References

• 1. 8:28 ch. 6:14; Matt. 14:2; Luke 9:7
• 2. 8:28 Luke 9:8; [ch. 9:11; Matt. 17:10; John 1:21]