Mark 9:11

KJV

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they asked {G1905} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Why {G3754} say {G3004} the scribes {G1122} that {G3754} Elias {G2243} must {G1163} first {G4412} come {G2064}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They also asked him, "Why do the Torah-teachers say that Eliyahu has to come first?"

Berean Standard Bible

And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

American Standard Version

And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the awe-inspiring Transfiguration, Mark 9:11 captures the disciples' profound confusion as they descend the mountain with Jesus. Having just witnessed Elijah appear alongside Moses and Christ, they are perplexed by the prevailing scribal teaching that Elijah "must first come" before the Messiah. Their question to Jesus reveals the tension between their immediate experience, deeply rooted prophetic expectations, and the traditional interpretations of the religious authorities, setting the stage for Jesus' clarifying revelation regarding the fulfillment of prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 9:11 immediately follows the climactic event of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus glorified, conversing with Moses and Elijah. As they descend from the mountain (Mark 9:9-10), Jesus commands them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. This command, coupled with their recent encounter with Elijah, sparks the disciples' question in Mark 9:11. Their confusion stems from the apparent contradiction: they had just seen Elijah, yet the scribal teaching indicated he was to precede the Messiah's *first* coming, which they understood to be Jesus' present ministry. The verse thus serves as a bridge, transitioning from the supernatural revelation of Jesus' glory to a practical theological dilemma concerning prophetic fulfillment and Messianic timing, which Jesus will address in the subsequent verses (Mark 9:12-13).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people, particularly the scribes, held a strong and widespread expectation of Elijah's return before the advent of the Messiah. This belief was primarily rooted in the prophecy found in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which states, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." The scribes (Greek: *grammateús*), as learned interpreters and teachers of the Law and prophetic writings, had codified this expectation into a prominent doctrine. They meticulously studied the scriptures, and their interpretations significantly shaped popular Jewish thought. The disciples, being steeped in this cultural and religious understanding, naturally grappled with how Elijah's fleeting appearance on the mountain reconciled with the established teaching that he must *first* come as a herald, preparing the way for the Messiah in a public and recognized manner. Their question reflects a genuine struggle to integrate a divine revelation with their ingrained theological framework.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:11 contributes to several significant themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, specifically the Jewish expectation of Elijah's return as foretold in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Elijah's Prophetic Return"). The disciples' question underscores the tension between literal interpretations of prophecy and God's sovereign, often unexpected, methods of fulfillment. Secondly, it explores the theme of **Messianic Expectation versus Reality**. The scribes' teaching represented a common, albeit incomplete, understanding of the Messiah's coming. The disciples' bewilderment reveals their struggle to reconcile traditional views with the unfolding reality of Jesus' identity and mission. Finally, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **Misunderstanding and Revelation**. The disciples, despite witnessing the Transfiguration, still operate within a limited framework. Their question sets the stage for Jesus to provide a deeper, authoritative interpretation of scripture, correcting misconceptions and revealing the true nature of prophetic fulfillment, particularly concerning the role of [John the Baptist](/mark/1-2-8 "Mark 1:2-8 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way") as the new Elijah (as explained in [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Mark 9:12-13 - Jesus Explains Elijah's Coming")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** Refers to a professional writer or secretary, but in the New Testament, it primarily designates a class of Jewish religious scholars and interpreters of the Law. They were experts in the Mosaic Law and the prophetic writings, serving as teachers and legal authorities. Their interpretations significantly influenced the theological landscape of Judaism, including the widespread expectation of Elijah's return.
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elijah. Elijah was a prominent prophet in the Old Testament, known for his zealous ministry, miraculous deeds, and his ascension to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). The prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 fueled the Jewish expectation that Elijah would physically return to prepare the way for the Messiah.
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This impersonal verb signifies necessity or obligation, indicating something that "behoves," "is meet," or "ought" to happen. In this context, it reflects the scribes' authoritative teaching that Elijah's coming was a divinely ordained prerequisite for the Messiah's arrival, presenting it as an absolute and unavoidable condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they asked him, saying":** This phrase indicates the disciples' initiative to question Jesus. It highlights their active engagement with the profound events they had just witnessed and their desire for clarification regarding a theological point that deeply perplexed them. Their inquiry is direct and urgent, reflecting their struggle to reconcile their experience with established teaching.
* **"Why say the scribes":** This clause pinpoints the source of the disciples' confusion: the authoritative teaching of the scribes. It reveals that the scribes' interpretations of prophecy held significant weight in the disciples' understanding of God's plan. The question is not whether Elijah would come, but why the scribes insisted on his *prior* coming in a specific manner that seemed to contradict his recent appearance on the mountain.
* **"that Elias must first come?":** This final clause articulates the core of the disciples' dilemma. It encapsulates the prevailing Jewish expectation, based on Malachi's prophecy, that Elijah would precede the Messiah's public ministry as a preparatory figure. The word "first" (Greek: *prōton*) emphasizes the chronological precedence the scribes attributed to Elijah's return, making his appearance *before* the Messiah's full revelation a non-negotiable condition in their theological framework.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:11 effectively employs **Interrogatio**, presenting a direct question from the disciples to Jesus. This question is not merely informational but serves to highlight the disciples' ongoing struggle to comprehend the true nature of Jesus' messiahship and the fulfillment of prophecy. It sets up a didactic moment where Jesus can clarify a significant theological point. The verse also makes an **Allusion** to the Old Testament prophecy concerning Elijah's return, particularly [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which was central to Jewish Messianic expectations. This allusion immediately connects the immediate narrative to the broader sweep of biblical history and prophecy. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for Jesus' subsequent explanation in [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Mark 9:12-13 - Jesus' Explanation of Elijah's Coming"), where He reveals the spiritual fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy in John the Baptist.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:11 serves as a crucial theological pivot, illustrating the tension between human interpretation of prophecy and divine fulfillment. The disciples' question, rooted in the scribal tradition, reveals a common misunderstanding of how God's prophetic word would unfold. They anticipated a literal, public, and unmistakable return of Elijah before the Messiah's advent, failing to grasp the spiritual and often unexpected ways in which God works. This verse underscores that while God's promises are always true, their fulfillment may transcend human expectations, requiring divine revelation for proper understanding. It highlights the necessity of Jesus' authoritative teaching to correct misconceptions and provide the definitive interpretation of scripture, demonstrating that He is the ultimate key to unlocking the mysteries of God's plan.

* [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Prophecy of Elijah's Return")
* [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Jesus Explains Elijah's Coming")
* [Matthew 17:10-13](/matthew/17-10-13 "Matthew 17:10-13 - Jesus Identifies John the Baptist as Elijah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:11 invites us to examine our own preconceived notions and how readily we might cling to traditional interpretations, even when faced with new revelation. Just as the disciples struggled to reconcile their experience of Elijah with the scribal teaching, we too can find ourselves perplexed when God's work in our lives or in the world doesn't align with our expectations or established frameworks. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness, recognizing that God's ways are often higher than our ways, and His fulfillment of prophecy or promises may unfold in unexpected forms. It encourages us to bring our questions and confusions to Christ, trusting in His ultimate authority and perfect understanding of all scripture. Ultimately, it calls us to look beyond superficial interpretations and seek the deeper, spiritual truths that Jesus Himself reveals, allowing Him to shape our understanding of God's unfolding plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or expectations do I hold about how God "should" act, and how might these limit my understanding of His actual work?**
* **How do I respond when my personal experiences or observations seem to contradict established theological teachings or my own understanding of scripture?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to bring my questions and confusion to Jesus, trusting in His authoritative revelation?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater openness to God's unexpected ways of fulfilling His promises?**

### FAQ
**Who were the scribes, and why was their teaching about Elijah so significant?**

Answer: The scribes (Greek: *grammateús*) were highly educated Jewish scholars and legal experts who specialized in copying, interpreting, and teaching the Mosaic Law and the prophetic writings. They held significant authority and influence in Jewish society, shaping religious thought and practice. Their teaching about Elijah was significant because it was based on the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which explicitly stated that Elijah the prophet would come before "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." This prophecy was widely understood to mean that Elijah would physically reappear as a herald, preparing the way for the Messiah. The scribes' emphasis on this chronological precedence made it a deeply ingrained expectation among the people, including the disciples.

**What was the Jewish expectation of Elijah's return, and how did it relate to the Messiah?**

Answer: Based on [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), the prevailing Jewish expectation was that Elijah would return in person to usher in the Messianic age. He was anticipated to be a figure who would restore all things, reconcile families, and prepare the people spiritually for the Messiah's arrival. This expectation was so strong that Elijah was believed to appear at Passover meals (symbolized by an empty chair and a cup of wine) and was often invoked in prayers. The disciples' question in [Mark 9:11](/mark/9-11 "Mark 9:11 - Disciples' Question About Elijah") reflects this deeply held belief that Elijah "must first come" as a prerequisite to the Messiah's public ministry and the establishment of His kingdom.

**How does Jesus answer the disciples' question about Elijah's coming?**

Answer: Although [Mark 9:11](/mark/9-11 "Mark 9:11 - Disciples' Question About Elijah") only records the disciples' question, Jesus immediately addresses it in the subsequent verses. In [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Mark 9:12-13 - Jesus Explains Elijah's Coming"), Jesus affirms that Elijah does indeed come first to restore all things. He then reveals that Elijah *has already come*, and people "knew him not," but "have done unto him whatsoever they listed." While Mark's Gospel does not explicitly name him here, [Matthew's account](/matthew/17-12-13 "Matthew 17:12-13 - Jesus Identifies John the Baptist as Elijah") is more direct, stating, "Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist." Jesus clarifies that John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah, coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist's Role as Elijah's Forerunner")), though he was rejected and suffered, foreshadowing Jesus' own suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:11, though a question from confused disciples, powerfully sets the stage for a Christ-centered understanding of prophetic fulfillment. The disciples' bewilderment over Elijah's appearance versus the scribal expectation highlights the profound truth that all Old Testament prophecies ultimately find their definitive interpretation and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The anticipated return of Elijah, foretold in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), was not merely a literal re-appearance of the ancient prophet, but a spiritual preparation for the Messiah. Jesus' subsequent explanation (in [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Mark 9:12-13 - Jesus Explains Elijah's Coming") and more explicitly in [Matthew 17:12-13](/matthew/17-12-13 "Matthew 17:12-13 - Jesus Identifies John the Baptist as Elijah")) reveals that [John the Baptist](/mark/1-2-8 "Mark 1:2-8 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way") was the "Elijah who was to come," fulfilling the prophecy by preparing the way for Christ's first advent. This demonstrates Jesus' unique authority not only to perform miracles and reveal His glory, but also to perfectly interpret and fulfill the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The question about Elijah ultimately points to Christ as the central figure of redemptive history, the one for whom all prophets spoke, and in whom all divine promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")). He is the ultimate "restorer of all things," not merely through a herald, but through His own redemptive work on the cross and resurrection.

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

Malachi 4:5

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

Malachi 3:1

¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 11:14

And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.

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.

Mark 9:4

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.