Mark 8:28

28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others: 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 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."

27 Jesus went forth, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"

28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others: Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

30 He charged them that they should tell no one about him.