Mark 6:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Others {G243} said {G3004}, That {G3754} it is {G2076} Elias {G2243}. And {G1161} others {G243} said {G3004}, That {G3754} it is {G2076} a prophet {G4396}, or {G2228} as {G5613} one of {G1520} the prophets {G4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Others said, "It is Eliyahu!" and still others, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets."

Berean Standard Bible

Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

American Standard Version

But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:15 captures the widespread public speculation regarding Jesus' identity during His earthly ministry, particularly as His fame grew following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand and the sending out of the twelve apostles. This verse reveals the diverse and often limited human attempts to categorize Jesus, with some believing Him to be Elijah, and others seeing Him as a prophet, or one of the ancient prophets returned. It underscores the general confusion and the struggle to grasp His unique, divine nature amidst His powerful works.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 6:15 is situated within a crucial section of Mark's Gospel that highlights the growing public interest in Jesus, alongside the differing reactions to His ministry. Immediately preceding this verse, King Herod Antipas, having heard of Jesus' fame, mistakenly concludes that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead ([Mark 6:14](/mark/6-14 "Mark 6:14 - Herod's Speculation")). This verse then presents the popular opinions of "others," providing a broader societal perspective that contrasts with Herod's specific, guilt-ridden belief. The narrative flow in [Mark 6](/mark/6 "Mark 6 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand and Walks on Water") moves from Jesus' rejection in Nazareth, to the commissioning of the twelve, to Herod's troubled conscience, and then to the public's varied interpretations, all setting the stage for the pivotal question of Jesus' true identity that will culminate in Peter's confession in [Mark 8:29](/mark/8-29 "Mark 8:29 - Peter's Confession").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society was deeply rooted in prophetic tradition and eschatological expectation. The Old Testament promised the return of Elijah before the coming of the Messiah or the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" ([Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")). This prophecy fueled a strong expectation that Elijah would reappear as a forerunner to the Messiah. Additionally, there was a general expectation of a "prophet like Moses" ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")) who would guide Israel. Given Jesus' extraordinary teachings, miracles, and authoritative manner, it was natural for people to try and fit Him into these familiar categories of revered prophetic figures. The political and religious climate was also one of anticipation for divine intervention and liberation, making the appearance of a powerful figure like Jesus a subject of intense scrutiny and varied interpretation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the overarching theme of the **Misunderstanding of Jesus' Identity** that runs throughout Mark's Gospel. While the disciples, and even demons, sometimes recognize Jesus' true nature, the general public and religious authorities consistently fail to grasp it fully. This verse specifically highlights the theme of **Prophetic Expectation and Fulfillment**, showing how people attempted to understand Jesus through the lens of Israel's prophetic past, particularly the anticipated return of Elijah. It also touches upon the theme of **Popular Opinion vs. Divine Revelation**, illustrating that human speculation, even when acknowledging Jesus' power, falls short of the truth revealed by God. The comparisons to Elijah and "a prophet" underscore the people's recognition of Jesus' spiritual authority and miraculous power, yet their inability to see Him as the unique Son of God and Messiah, a revelation that often remained veiled until the resurrection, as seen in the centurion's confession in [Mark 15:39](/mark/15-39 "Mark 15:39 - The Centurion's Confession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Others (Greek, _állos'_):** This word signifies "different" or "another" of the same kind. Here, it emphasizes the diversity of opinions among the populace concerning Jesus' identity, distinguishing their views from Herod's specific belief mentioned in the preceding verse. It highlights a common human tendency to categorize new phenomena based on existing frameworks.
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elijah. The identification of Jesus with Elijah was a significant claim, rooted in the Jewish expectation that Elijah would return before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). This comparison elevated Jesus to the highest echelon of prophetic figures, suggesting a belief that He was a powerful, divinely commissioned individual, perhaps even the forerunner of the Messiah.
* **Prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** Derived from "to speak before" or "to speak for," this term denotes a foreteller or an inspired speaker. While "Elias" points to a specific, highly revered prophet, "a prophet" or "one of the prophets" suggests a more general recognition of Jesus' prophetic ministry – His authoritative teaching, His miraculous signs, and His divine insights. It acknowledges His connection to God but does not necessarily equate Him with the specific eschatological role of Elijah, nor does it fully grasp His unique divine Sonship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Others said, That it is Elias."**: This clause reveals a significant segment of the population believed Jesus to be Elijah, the great Old Testament prophet. This belief was likely fueled by Jesus' powerful miracles, His bold pronouncements, and the Jewish eschatological expectation of Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5). It indicates that people saw Jesus as a figure of immense spiritual authority and power, capable of ushering in a new era.
* **"And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets."**: This second clause presents a slightly different, broader category of understanding. While still acknowledging Jesus' divine connection and prophetic nature, this group did not necessarily identify Him with Elijah specifically. Instead, they saw Him as a prophet in the general sense, perhaps like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or one of the lesser-known prophets, or even a new prophet raised up by God. This view still placed Jesus in a position of high regard and spiritual significance, but it fell short of recognizing His unique identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. The phrase "or as one of the prophets" further emphasizes the range of possibilities within this general prophetic category, indicating a degree of uncertainty or a reluctance to commit to a more specific identification.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Categorization** and **Contrast** to illustrate the public's perception of Jesus. By presenting distinct categories of opinion—Elias, a prophet, or one of the prophets—Mark highlights the varied attempts to understand Jesus within existing frameworks. This categorization also implicitly **Juxtaposes** these human speculations with the true identity of Jesus, which the Gospel is progressively revealing. The repetition of "others said" creates a sense of widespread, yet diverse, **Public Opinion**, underscoring the general confusion and the limited understanding of Jesus' unique person. The use of **Ellipsis** (implied subject "it is") further emphasizes the focus on *who* Jesus is perceived to be, rather than *what* He is doing, shifting the narrative's attention to His identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:15 powerfully illustrates the human tendency to interpret the divine through familiar lenses, often falling short of full comprehension. The people's speculations about Jesus being Elijah or another prophet, while acknowledging His extraordinary power and divine connection, reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of His unique identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. This theological blindness is a recurring theme in the Gospels, highlighting the need for divine revelation to truly grasp who Jesus is. It sets the stage for the pivotal moment when Peter, by divine revelation, confesses Jesus as the Christ ([Matthew 16:16-17](/matthew/16-16-17 "Matthew 16:16-17 - Peter's Confession")). The verse also underscores the Jewish expectation of a prophetic figure (especially Elijah) preceding the Messiah, an expectation that John the Baptist partially fulfilled in spirit and power ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah")).
* [Matthew 16:13-14](/matthew/16-13-14 "Matthew 16:13-14 - Who Do People Say I Am?")
* [Luke 9:7-8](/luke/9-7-8 "Luke 9:7-8 - Herod's Perplexity")
* [John 7:40](/john/7-40 "John 7:40 - Some of the People Said, 'This is Truly the Prophet'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:15 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting how people throughout history, and even today, attempt to define Jesus based on their own preconceptions or limited understanding. Just as the crowds in Jesus' day tried to fit Him into familiar categories like "Elijah" or "a prophet," many in our contemporary world reduce Jesus to a great moral teacher, a historical figure, a social reformer, or merely a spiritual guru. This verse challenges us to move beyond popular opinion and superficial interpretations. True understanding of Jesus does not come from human speculation or consensus, but from the revelation of God found in the Scriptures, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Our application is to diligently seek and embrace the full truth of who Jesus revealed Himself to be: not just a prophet, but the unique Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. This requires a humble, open heart willing to receive divine truth, rather than imposing our own categories.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some common contemporary opinions about Jesus that fall short of His true identity?**
* **How might our own preconceived notions or cultural frameworks prevent us from fully grasping who Jesus is?**
* **What steps can we take to move beyond popular opinion and deepen our understanding of Jesus through Scripture and the Holy Spirit?**

### FAQ
**Why did people specifically think Jesus was Elijah?**

Answer: The belief that Jesus was Elijah stemmed from a strong Jewish eschatological expectation based on the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which foretold the return of the prophet Elijah before the coming of the Messiah and the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." Elijah was a revered figure in Jewish tradition, known for his powerful miracles, his confrontation with idolatry, and his unique ascent to heaven without dying ([2 Kings 2:11](/2_kings/2-11 "2 Kings 2:11 - Elijah Taken to Heaven")). Given Jesus' extraordinary miracles, authoritative teaching, and challenging of religious norms, it was a natural, albeit incomplete, conclusion for some to see Him as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While the crowds in [Mark 6:15](/mark/6-15 "Mark 6:15 - Popular Opinions of Jesus") correctly perceived Jesus as a figure of immense prophetic power, their understanding of Him as merely "Elias" or "a prophet" ultimately fell short of His true identity as the Christ. Jesus is not simply a prophet *like* others; He is the Prophet par excellence, the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He fulfills all the prophetic expectations, not by being a re-embodiment of a past prophet, but by being the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. He is the one to whom all prophets pointed ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")), the Messiah who brings the New Covenant ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")), and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The popular opinions in Mark 6:15, though recognizing His divine connection, highlight humanity's inability to fully grasp the unique, divine Sonship of Jesus without God's revelation, which culminates in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, proving Him to be Lord and Christ ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Jesus is Lord and 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

Matthew 21:11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Mark 8:28

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

Malachi 4:5

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

Matthew 16:14

And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

John 6:14

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Matthew 17:10

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

Matthew 17:11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.