Luke 9:19

KJV

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again.

KJV (with Strong's)

They {G1161} answering {G611} said {G2036}, John {G2491} the Baptist {G910}; but {G1161} some {G243} say, Elias {G2243}; and {G1161} others {G243} say, that {G3754} one {G5100} of the old {G744} prophets {G4396} is risen again {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They answered, “Yochanan the Immerser; but others say Eliyahu, and others that some prophet of long ago has risen.”

Berean Standard Bible

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”

American Standard Version

And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:19 captures the disciples' report to Jesus regarding the varied public opinions about His identity, a pivotal moment that immediately precedes Peter's confession of Christ's true nature. This verse reveals the prevailing misconceptions and spiritual yearning within Jewish society, where people recognized Jesus's extraordinary power and prophetic authority but struggled to grasp His unique divine Sonship, instead equating Him with revered figures like John the Baptist, Elijah, or other ancient prophets returned to life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a crucial narrative pivot in Luke's Gospel. It follows Jesus's private prayer time with His disciples in [Luke 9:18](/luke/9-18 "Luke 9:18 - Jesus Asks About His Identity"), where He directly poses the question, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" The disciples' answers in [Luke 9:19](/luke/9-19 "Luke 9:19 - Public Opinion of Jesus") set the stage for the climactic confession of Peter in [Luke 9:20](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter's Confession of Christ"), where he declares Jesus to be "the Christ of God." This sequence highlights the contrast between popular, often confused, perceptions and the divinely revealed truth. Immediately after this, Jesus begins to speak explicitly about His impending suffering, death, and resurrection ([Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering")), underscoring that a correct understanding of His identity is foundational to comprehending His mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The diverse opinions about Jesus's identity reflected the rich tapestry of Jewish messianic and prophetic expectations during the Second Temple period. The mention of John the Baptist was particularly relevant given his recent execution by Herod Antipas ([Luke 9:7-9](/luke/9-7-9 "Luke 9:7-9 - Herod's Perplexity Over Jesus")). John's ministry had been widely impactful, and his ascetic lifestyle and bold preaching resonated with the prophetic tradition. The expectation of Elijah's return was deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology, particularly from [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which foretold his coming before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." This belief was so strong that many believed Elijah would return to anoint the Messiah. The general idea of "one of the old prophets risen again" speaks to a widespread yearning for a renewal of prophetic activity after centuries of perceived silence, a hope that God would once again raise up a powerful voice to guide His people and prepare for the Messianic age.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Misconceptions of Jesus' Identity**, demonstrating how even those who witnessed His miracles and heard His teaching struggled to grasp His unique divine nature, reducing Him to a mere prophet or a resurrected figure. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Prophetic Expectation and Fulfillment**, revealing the Jewish people's fervent anticipation of key prophetic figures, particularly Elijah, whose return was seen as a precursor to the Messiah. While John the Baptist operated "in the spirit and power of Elijah" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah")), Jesus Himself was far greater than any prophet. Finally, the dialogue serves as a crucial **Preparation for Revelation**, setting a backdrop of popular, yet incomplete, understanding against which Jesus would unveil deeper truths about His identity, His suffering, and His ultimate redemptive mission, moving from public speculation to private, divine revelation for His closest disciples, as seen in [Luke 9:20-22](/luke/9-20-22 "Luke 9:20-22 - Peter's Confession and Jesus' Prophecy of Suffering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answering (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This verb (G611) signifies more than a simple reply; it often implies a considered response, a conclusion drawn, or even the beginning of a significant discourse, especially where an address is expected. In this context, the disciples are not just giving casual remarks but are articulating the public's prevailing, albeit incomplete, interpretations of Jesus's identity, setting the stage for a crucial theological discussion.
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration (G2243) of the Hebrew name Elijah. The inclusion of Elijah in the public's speculation underscores the deep-seated Jewish expectation of his return, rooted in prophetic texts like [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"). Elijah was revered as a prophet of immense power and a forerunner figure, making him a natural, though ultimately insufficient, comparison for Jesus.
* **risen again (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** The verb (G450) literally means "to stand up" or "to raise up," and in this context, it refers to a return to life, a resurrection from the dead. While the public's use of "risen again" for an old prophet was a testament to their belief in divine intervention and the possibility of a prophet's return, it profoundly foreshadows Jesus's own literal resurrection, which would be the ultimate demonstration of His divine power and identity, far beyond any mere prophet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They answering said,"**: This clause establishes the disciples' role as reporters of public opinion, responding to Jesus's direct inquiry. Their answer is not their own conviction (which will come in [Luke 9:20](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter's Confession of Christ")), but a summary of what "the crowds" ([Luke 9:18](/luke/9-18 "Luke 9:18 - Jesus Asks About His Identity")) are saying.
* **"John the Baptist;"**: This indicates that a significant portion of the public believed Jesus was John, perhaps resurrected. This belief was also held by Herod Antipas ([Luke 9:7-9](/luke/9-7-9 "Luke 9:7-9 - Herod's Perplexity Over Jesus")). The connection likely stemmed from similarities in their ministries, their calls to repentance, and their bold prophetic declarations.
* **"but some [say], Elias;"**: Another segment of the population identified Jesus with Elijah. This reflects the strong messianic expectation and the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return") that Elijah would return before the Messiah. Elijah was a powerful prophet, known for miracles and his fiery ascension, making him a fitting, if incomplete, comparison for Jesus.
* **"and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again."**: This final category represents a more general belief that Jesus was a resurrected prophet from Israel's past, such as Jeremiah or Isaiah. It speaks to a deep longing for God to raise up a powerful prophetic voice, signaling a new era of divine activity after centuries of perceived prophetic silence. This highlights the public's recognition of Jesus's extraordinary power and authority, even if they couldn't grasp His unique identity.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:19 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. The primary device is **Dialogue**, as the verse is a direct response from the disciples to Jesus's question, propelling the narrative forward and setting up the subsequent, more profound revelation. This dialogue also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as the popular, yet ultimately incorrect, theories about Jesus's identity create a dramatic tension that is resolved by Peter's accurate confession in the very next verse and Jesus's subsequent teachings about His suffering and resurrection. There is also an element of **Irony** present; the crowd recognizes Jesus's power and prophetic authority, even associating Him with revered figures like Elijah and John the Baptist, yet they fail to grasp the deeper, divine truth of His identity as the Christ. This highlights the spiritual blindness that can accompany even sincere religious speculation, underscoring the need for divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:19 powerfully illustrates the pervasive human tendency to categorize and understand the divine within familiar frameworks, even when those frameworks fall short of the full truth. The public's varied opinions — identifying Jesus as John the Baptist, Elijah, or another resurrected prophet — reveal a genuine recognition of His extraordinary power and prophetic anointing, yet a fundamental misunderstanding of His unique identity as the Son of God. This passage serves as a theological bridge, moving from the limited, human-centric views of Jesus to the divinely revealed truth that Peter articulates, emphasizing that true understanding of Christ comes not from human speculation but from God's revelation. It underscores the theme that Jesus transcends all previous prophetic figures, embodying the ultimate fulfillment of all prophetic hopes and expectations.

* [Luke 9:20](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter's Confession of Christ")
* [Matthew 16:13-16](/matthew/16-13-16 "Matthew 16:13-16 - Peter's Confession in Matthew's Gospel")
* [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage invites us to deeply reflect on our own understanding of Jesus. Are we content with popular opinions, cultural narratives, or even our own preconceived notions about who Jesus is? The crowd in Luke 9:19 saw Jesus as a great man, a powerful prophet, or a significant figure from the past, but they missed His unique divine Sonship. This serves as a potent reminder that a superficial understanding of Christ, while perhaps acknowledging His greatness, falls short of the transformative truth. For us today, the challenge is to move beyond secondhand accounts and popular perceptions to seek a personal, divinely revealed understanding of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This requires a willingness to engage with Scripture, to pray for spiritual discernment, and to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate His true identity to our hearts. Our lives are profoundly shaped by who we believe Jesus to be; a shallow understanding will lead to a shallow faith, but a deep, Spirit-led revelation will lead to profound devotion and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the common popular opinions or cultural perceptions of Jesus in our world today, and how do they compare to the biblical truth?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to limit Jesus to a category that is less than who He truly is (e.g., merely a good teacher, a moral example, a historical figure)?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more personal, and Spirit-led revelation of Jesus's true identity in my own life?**

### FAQ

**Why did people think Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet?**

Answer: People held these beliefs primarily because of Jesus's extraordinary power, profound teaching, and prophetic authority, which resonated with the characteristics of these revered figures. John the Baptist had recently been executed, and his ministry of repentance and bold pronouncements had prepared the way for Jesus, leading some to believe Jesus was John resurrected. Elijah was a prominent prophet known for miracles and his fiery ascension, and Jewish tradition, particularly from [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), strongly anticipated his return before the Messiah. The idea of "one of the old prophets risen again" reflected a deep yearning for a renewal of prophetic activity after centuries of silence, recognizing Jesus's powerful impact as akin to the great prophets of Israel's past. These were sincere, yet ultimately incomplete, attempts to understand a figure who transcended all human categories.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:19, with its array of human speculations about Jesus's identity, profoundly sets the stage for His Christ-centered fulfillment. The public's attempts to categorize Jesus as John the Baptist, Elijah, or a resurrected prophet, while acknowledging His divine power, ultimately fall short of His true nature. Jesus is not merely a return of an old prophet; He is the ultimate Prophet, the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the one whom Moses foretold, a Prophet "like me" whom God would raise up ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")). While John the Baptist prepared His way in the "spirit and power of Elijah" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah")), Jesus is greater than Elijah, for He is the Messiah whom Elijah's return was meant to herald. The very concept of "risen again" finds its ultimate and unique fulfillment not in a past prophet, but in Jesus's own glorious resurrection from the dead, which definitively proved His divine Sonship and victory over sin and death ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Thus, the various human guesses in Luke 9:19 serve to highlight the incomparable and transcendent reality of Jesus Christ, who is the culmination of all prophetic hope and the very revelation of God Himself ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son")). He is the one in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - The Fullness of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 9:7

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

Luke 9:8

And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Mark 6:15

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

John 1:21

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Matthew 14:2

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

John 7:40

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.