Mark 8:28

28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; 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 away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

27 And Jesus and his disciples went out into the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?

28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets.

29 Then he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answered and said unto him, Thou art the Christ!

30 And he commanded them that they should tell no one of this regarding him.