Luke 9:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} of {G5259} some {G5100}, that {G3754} Elias {G2243} had appeared {G5316}; and {G1161} of others {G243}, that {G3754} one {G1520} of the old {G744} prophets {G4396} was risen again {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

by others that Eliyahu had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.

Berean Standard Bible

others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse encapsulates the widespread speculation and diverse opinions circulating among the people regarding Jesus' identity, which had reached the ears of King Herod. It specifically highlights two prominent theories: that Jesus was the prophet Elijah, believed by some to have reappeared, and by others, that He was one of the ancient prophets resurrected. These conjectures underscore the profound impact of Jesus' ministry and the public's struggle to comprehend His unique person and power within familiar categories.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 9:8 immediately follows a passage detailing King Herod's perplexity over reports of Jesus' miraculous works and the various public opinions about Him, including the belief that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead ([Luke 9:7](/luke/9-7 "Luke 9:7 - Herod's Perplexity")). This verse specifically lists two other prevalent theories among the populace, demonstrating the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry and the public's struggle to understand His identity. The broader context of [Luke 9](/luke/9 "Luke 9 - Jesus' Ministry and Peter's Confession") includes Jesus empowering His disciples for ministry ([Luke 9:1-6](/luke/9-1-6 "Luke 9:1-6 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")), the feeding of the five thousand ([Luke 9:10-17](/luke/9-10-17 "Luke 9:10-17 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), and critically, Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ ([Luke 9:18-20](/luke/9-18-20 "Luke 9:18-20 - Peter's Confession")), which directly addresses the very questions of identity raised in this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, there was a strong expectation of prophetic figures, particularly the return of Elijah, based on the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"). Elijah was revered as a powerful prophet who did not die but was taken up to heaven, and his return was widely anticipated as a precursor to the Messiah's coming. Similarly, the idea of a prophet being "risen again" or a new prophet emerging in the spirit of the old ones (like Jeremiah or Isaiah) was a common way for people to interpret extraordinary spiritual manifestations, especially after a long period of perceived prophetic silence. The political backdrop involved Herod Antipas, a tetrarch under Roman authority, who had recently executed John the Baptist and was now deeply troubled by the emergence of another powerful spiritual leader, fearing potential unrest or divine retribution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the theme of **Misconceptions about Jesus' Identity**, highlighting how people, even those witnessing His undeniable power, struggled to correctly identify Him, often attempting to fit Him into familiar prophetic molds rather than recognizing His unique divine nature. It also touches on the **Anticipation of Elijah**, a crucial element of Jewish eschatology, where the return of Elijah was seen as a sign of the Messiah's imminent arrival, as prophesied in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"). While [John the Baptist](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit and Power of Elijah") came in the spirit and power of Elijah, Jesus was far greater than a prophet. Furthermore, the verse reflects the theme of **Prophetic Continuity**, suggesting a broader belief in God's ongoing communication through prophets, even if the specific application to Jesus was incomplete. Ultimately, these conjectures serve to underscore the profound and often misunderstood nature of Jesus' true messianic identity, which would later be revealed more fully, as seen in [Luke 9:20](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter's Confession of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elijah. The strong expectation of Elijah's return was deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology, making it a natural, albeit incorrect, assumption for some regarding Jesus' identity. Elijah was known for his powerful miracles, confrontation with evil, and unique departure from earth, making him a fitting, though ultimately insufficient, comparison for Jesus in the popular imagination.
* **prophets (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** From a compound meaning "to speak before" or "to speak for." A prophet was understood as a foreteller, an inspired speaker, or one who declared God's will. The reference to "old prophets" (G744, _archaîos_) signifies figures from Israel's past like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Elisha, known for their powerful ministries and divine messages. The people's association of Jesus with these figures demonstrates their recognition of His extraordinary spiritual authority and divine empowerment, even if they missed His unique status as the Son of God.
* **risen again (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb means "to stand up," "to arise," or "to raise up (again)." In this context, it implies a resurrection from the dead. The idea that Jesus was a resurrected prophet suggests a belief in the continuation of God's work through His chosen servants, even beyond death. It also hints at the profound impact Jesus had, leading people to consider Him a figure of such magnitude that only a resurrection could explain His presence and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And of some, that Elias had appeared;"**: This clause reveals a significant segment of the population believed Jesus was the literal return of the prophet Elijah. This belief was fueled by the strong Jewish expectation, based on [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), that Elijah would precede the Messiah. The phrase "had appeared" (G5316, _phaínō_) suggests a sudden, manifest presence, consistent with a miraculous reappearance. This interpretation highlights the public's attempt to fit Jesus into a familiar, albeit incomplete, prophetic framework.
* **"and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again."**: This second theory indicates that another group of people believed Jesus was a resurrected prophet from antiquity, such as Isaiah or Jeremiah. This reflects a broader understanding that God could raise up powerful figures from the past to continue His work, or that a new prophet could emerge with the authority and power reminiscent of those great figures. This view, like the Elijah theory, acknowledges Jesus' extraordinary nature and divine authority but falls short of recognizing His unique identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs **Conjecture** and **Speculation** in this verse, presenting a snapshot of the popular opinions surrounding Jesus. This highlights the human tendency to categorize and explain the unknown based on familiar frameworks, even when confronted with something entirely new. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows (or will soon know through Peter's confession and subsequent events) that Jesus is far more than a resurrected prophet or Elijah. The very questions posed by the people and Herod serve to underscore Jesus' unique and unparalleled identity, which is gradually revealed throughout Luke's Gospel. The use of **Parallelism** ("And of some... and of others...") effectively presents the two distinct, yet related, theories circulating among the populace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:8 serves as a crucial theological pivot, illustrating the widespread human inability to fully grasp the divine identity of Jesus based solely on His miraculous works. While people recognized His extraordinary power and prophetic authority, they struggled to move beyond familiar categories of understanding, such as the return of Elijah or a resurrected ancient prophet. This passage underscores the truth that true understanding of Jesus comes not from popular opinion or human speculation, but from divine revelation, a theme powerfully demonstrated later in the chapter through Peter's confession. It highlights the unique, unparalleled nature of Jesus, who transcends all previous prophetic figures and stands as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

* [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")
* [Matthew 16:13-16](/matthew/16-13-16 "Matthew 16:13-16 - Peter's Confession of Christ")
* [John 1:21](/john/1-21 "John 1:21 - John the Baptist Denies Being Elijah or the Prophet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:8 offers a profound opportunity for self-reflection on how we perceive Jesus today. Just as people in Jesus' time tried to fit Him into their preconceived notions of a prophet or a resurrected figure, we too can be tempted to define Jesus by our own expectations, cultural biases, or even limited theological frameworks. This passage challenges us to move beyond superficial understanding and popular opinion, urging us to seek a deeper, biblically grounded revelation of who Jesus truly is: not merely a great teacher, a moral example, or a historical figure, but the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Lord of all. Our faith must be rooted in the divine truth of His person and work, allowing Him to redefine our understanding rather than conforming Him to our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or cultural ideas might I hold about Jesus that prevent me from fully grasping His true identity as revealed in Scripture?**
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' unique identity impact my worship, discipleship, and daily life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to reduce Jesus to a mere prophet or a historical figure, rather than acknowledging His divine authority and sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why did some people believe Jesus was Elijah?**

Answer: The belief that Jesus was Elijah was deeply rooted in Jewish eschatological expectations, particularly from the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which stated that Elijah would return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." Elijah was a revered prophet known for his powerful miracles, his confrontation with idolatry, and his unique ascension to heaven without dying. Given Jesus' extraordinary miracles, His authoritative teaching, and His challenge to the religious establishment, many people saw parallels with Elijah's ministry and concluded that He must be the promised forerunner to the Messiah. However, Jesus clarified that [John the Baptist](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit and Power of Elijah") came in the spirit and power of Elijah, fulfilling that prophecy, while Jesus Himself was the Messiah.

**Who were "the old prophets" that people thought Jesus might be?**

Answer: "The old prophets" refers to the great prophetic figures of Israel's past, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Elisha. These were individuals through whom God had spoken powerfully and performed mighty works. After a period of several centuries without a recognized prophet, the emergence of a figure like Jesus, who taught with authority and performed undeniable miracles, led some to believe that God was once again raising up a prophet in the mold of these ancient figures. The idea was that one of these revered prophets had been resurrected to continue God's work, signaling a new era of divine activity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:8, while detailing the public's misconceptions about Jesus, paradoxically points towards His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The very questions about whether Jesus was Elijah or a resurrected prophet underscore the profound impact He had and the deep-seated expectation for divine intervention in Israel. While these theories fell short of the truth, they implicitly acknowledged Jesus' unique connection to God and His role in salvation history. Jesus was not merely a prophet like Elijah, but the one whom Elijah foretold, the very Messiah whose coming was announced. He did not merely rise again like an "old prophet," but He is the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), the one who conquered death once for all. The people's confusion foreshadows the divine revelation that would come, culminating in Peter's confession of Jesus as "the Christ of God" ([Luke 9:20](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter's Confession")), a truth later affirmed by Jesus' own resurrection and ascension, which established Him as Lord and Christ ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Jesus is Lord and Christ")). Thus, the popular conjectures, though incomplete, served to highlight the unique and unparalleled nature of the One who would ultimately fulfill all prophecy and bring salvation.

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 9:19

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

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.

Mark 6:15

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

Mark 8:28

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some [say], Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Matthew 17:10

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?