Mark 9:13

KJV

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} Elias {G2243} is {G2064} indeed {G2532} come {G2064}, and {G2532} they have done {G4160} unto him {G846} whatsoever {G3745} they listed {G2309}, as {G2531} it is written {G1125} of {G1909} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There's more to it: I tell you that Eliyahu has come, and they did whatever they pleased to him, just as the Tanakh says about him."

Berean Standard Bible

But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

American Standard Version

But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus clarifies to His disciples that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Elijah's return, and tragically, just as the Son of Man is destined to suffer, so too did John endure the arbitrary will and persecution of those in power, aligning with what was foretold about him in the broader prophetic narrative of suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration by Jesus in Mark 9:13 immediately follows the profound event of the Transfiguration on the mountain, where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus glorified alongside Moses and Elijah ([Mark 9:2-8](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration")). As they descended, the disciples, still processing the miraculous vision, questioned Jesus about the scribal teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah ([Mark 9:11](/mark/9-11 "Mark 9:11 - Disciples' Question About Elijah")). This question is rooted in Old Testament prophecy, particularly [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which spoke of Elijah's return to prepare the way for the Lord. Jesus' response in [Mark 9:12-13](/mark/9-12-13 "Mark 9:12-13 - Jesus' Explanation of Elijah and the Son of Man") directly addresses their theological dilemma, confirming the fulfillment of prophecy while also linking Elijah's suffering to His own impending Passion. The preceding verse ([Mark 9:12](/mark/9-12 "Mark 9:12 - Jesus Predicts Suffering")) explicitly states that the Son of Man must suffer many things, setting the stage for the parallel suffering of Elijah (John the Baptist).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society held a strong expectation of Elijah's return, based on the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - The Prophecy of Elijah's Return"). This expectation was deeply ingrained in their eschatological hopes, believing Elijah would be the herald of the Messiah, preparing the people for His arrival. Many believed Elijah would literally reappear. The scribes, as interpreters of the Law and Prophets, taught this doctrine widely. John the Baptist's ministry, characterized by his ascetic lifestyle, wilderness preaching, and call to repentance, bore striking resemblances to the ancient prophet Elijah ([2 Kings 1:8](/2_kings/1-8 "2 Kings 1:8 - Elijah's Appearance")). However, his rejection by the religious authorities and his violent death at the hands of Herod Antipas ([Mark 6:14-29](/mark/6-14-29 "Mark 6:14-29 - The Death of John the Baptist")) presented a challenge to the traditional understanding of Elijah's glorious return. Jesus' statement reinterprets this expectation, revealing that the "coming" was not a literal reappearance but a spiritual fulfillment through John, and that this fulfillment, like the Messiah's, involved suffering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy**, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word, even when that fulfillment takes an unexpected or unconventional form ([Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Coming")). Secondly, it clarifies the **identity and role of John the Baptist** as the divinely appointed forerunner of the Messiah, operating in the spirit and power of Elijah ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist's Prophetic Role")). John's ministry was essential in preparing the hearts of the people for Jesus. Thirdly, and perhaps most poignantly, the verse highlights the theme of **suffering as a necessary component of God's redemptive plan**. By linking John's persecution and death to the "whatsoever they listed" and connecting it to the Son of Man's destined suffering ([Mark 9:12](/mark/9-12 "Mark 9:12 - The Son of Man Must Suffer")), Jesus reveals a pattern of rejection and hardship for God's messengers, culminating in His own atoning death. This theme challenges the disciples' (and our) expectations of a triumphant, glorious Messiah who would not suffer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This word directly refers to the Old Testament prophet Elijah, whose return was prophesied in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Elijah's Return Prophecy"). In this context, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the spiritual fulfillment of this prophecy, indicating that John came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist as Elijah's Forerunner")). The use of "Elias" here confirms the disciples' understanding of the prophecy while reorienting their perception of its fulfillment.
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies arrival or appearance. Jesus' emphatic declaration that "Elias is indeed come" (using the perfect tense in Greek, indicating a completed action with ongoing results) underscores the certainty and reality of John's ministry as the prophesied forerunner. It's not a future event but a past and present reality that the disciples (and the Jewish leaders) needed to recognize.
* **listed (Greek, _thélō'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to determine, choose, or prefer," this word highlights the arbitrary and malicious will of those who persecuted John the Baptist. It implies a deliberate, unconstrained desire or whim that led to John's imprisonment and execution ([Mark 6:14-29](/mark/6-14-29 "Mark 6:14-29 - The Death of John the Baptist")). This stands in stark contrast to God's sovereign will, emphasizing the human agency in rejecting God's messenger.
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This verb means "to write" or "to describe." Jesus' statement "as it is written of him" points to the prophetic nature of John's suffering. While the Old Testament explicitly foretold Elijah's coming ([Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Elijah's Return Prophecy")), it did not explicitly detail his suffering in the same way it did for the Messiah. However, the broader prophetic narrative of suffering servants and rejected prophets ([Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"); [Jeremiah 20](/jeremiah/20 "Jeremiah 20 - Jeremiah's Complaint")) provides a thematic precedent, suggesting that the suffering of God's messengers is implicitly part of the divine plan for redemption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say unto you,"**: Jesus introduces a direct and authoritative statement, contrasting His teaching with the scribal interpretation that Elijah must *still* come. This phrase emphasizes His divine authority to interpret prophecy and reveal truth, setting the stage for a crucial clarification.
* **"That Elias is indeed come,"**: This clause is Jesus' definitive affirmation that the prophecy of Elijah's return has already been fulfilled in the person and ministry of John the Baptist. The use of "indeed" (Greek _kai_, G2532, also meaning "also" or "even") adds emphasis, confirming the reality of John's role as the prophesied forerunner, despite his humble appearance and tragic end.
* **"and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed,"**: This somber statement refers to the persecution and ultimate execution of John the Baptist. "Whatsoever they listed" (from G2309 _thélō_) signifies that John was subjected to the arbitrary will, desires, and malicious whims of human authorities, particularly Herod Antipas and Herodias ([Mark 6:14-29](/mark/6-14-29 "Mark 6:14-29 - The Death of John the Baptist")). This highlights the human rejection of God's messenger and the suffering that often accompanies prophetic ministry.
* **"as it is written of him."**: This concluding phrase asserts that John's suffering and fate were not random or accidental but were, in some sense, part of God's overarching redemptive plan, foreshadowed or implicitly present in the prophetic scriptures. While no single Old Testament verse explicitly details Elijah's suffering in the same way it does for the Messiah, the pattern of rejected prophets and suffering servants throughout the Old Testament implicitly "writes" this reality into the divine narrative, demonstrating that suffering is often intertwined with faithfulness to God's calling.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:13 employs several significant literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as Jesus directly alludes to the Old Testament prophecy of Elijah's return, particularly from [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Coming"). This serves to connect the present events to the broader sweep of salvation history and prophetic fulfillment. There is also profound **Irony** in Jesus' statement. The disciples expected a glorious, universally recognized return of Elijah, yet Jesus reveals that Elijah (John the Baptist) came in humility and suffered a violent death at the hands of human authorities. This subverts their expectations and highlights the unexpected ways in which God's plan unfolds. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Foreshadowing**, as John the Baptist's suffering and rejection serve as a poignant precursor to Jesus' own impending Passion, which Jesus explicitly mentions in the preceding verse ([Mark 9:12](/mark/9-12 "Mark 9:12 - The Son of Man Must Suffer")). The parallel between the suffering of the forerunner and the suffering of the Messiah underscores a consistent theme of rejection for God's chosen ones.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:13 profoundly impacts our understanding of divine prophecy, the nature of God's messengers, and the role of suffering in salvation history. It reveals that God's fulfillment of prophecy is not always literal or according to human expectation, but often spiritual and transformative, requiring discernment. John the Baptist, as the "Elijah who was to come," embodies the final Old Testament prophet, bridging the covenants and preparing the way for Christ. His rejection and suffering underscore a consistent biblical theme: those who faithfully proclaim God's truth often face opposition, mirroring the ultimate suffering of the Messiah. This verse challenges believers to look beyond superficial appearances and worldly success to recognize God's hand at work, even in humble and painful circumstances, affirming that suffering for righteousness is a path often trodden by God's faithful.

* [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")
* [Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah")
* [Matthew 17:12](/matthew/17-12 "Matthew 17:12 - Jesus Confirms John as Elijah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:13 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging our perceptions of divine activity and the nature of discipleship. It calls us to recognize that God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human expectations, appearing in humility, suffering, or through unexpected individuals. Just as the disciples struggled to reconcile the scribal teaching of Elijah's glorious return with John the Baptist's humble and tragic end, we too must guard against rigid preconceptions that might prevent us from discerning God's work in our midst. This verse also serves as a stark reminder that faithfulness to God's calling, especially in prophetic witness, often invites opposition and hardship. John the Baptist's suffering at the hands of those who "listed" to do him harm is a powerful testament to the cost of truth-telling in a fallen world. For us, this means embracing the possibility of discomfort, rejection, or even persecution when we stand for Christ and His kingdom. It encourages us to persevere in our witness, knowing that our suffering aligns us with the pattern of Christ and His forerunners, and that God's ultimate purposes will prevail, regardless of human resistance. We are called to embody a spirit of discernment, humility, and courageous faithfulness, even when the path leads through difficulty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own expectations or cultural assumptions prevent me from recognizing God's work in unexpected places or through unexpected people today?**
* **How does the suffering of John the Baptist, and its connection to Jesus' own suffering, challenge my understanding of what it means to follow Christ faithfully?**
* **What "lists" or arbitrary wills of the world might I be tempted to succumb to, rather than standing firm in God's truth, even if it brings opposition?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of discernment to recognize God's messengers and His unfolding plan, even when it doesn't fit my preconceived notions of glory or success?**

### FAQ
**Was John the Baptist literally Elijah reborn?**

Answer: No, Jesus' statement that "Elias is indeed come" does not mean John the Baptist was a literal reincarnation of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Jewish theology did not typically embrace the concept of reincarnation. Instead, Jesus means that John came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist's Prophetic Spirit")), fulfilling the prophetic role of Elijah as the forerunner to the Messiah. John himself denied being Elijah when directly asked ([John 1:21](/john/1-21 "John 1:21 - John Denies Being Elijah")), indicating he was not the historical Elijah. However, he understood his role to be the one preparing the way for the Lord, as Malachi prophesied ([Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant")). Jesus' identification of John as Elijah is a theological statement about John's prophetic office and mission, not his literal identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:13, while primarily identifying John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy, points profoundly to Christ in its emphasis on suffering and divine purpose. John's role as the forerunner, who came in the "spirit and power of Elias" ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John the Baptist's Prophetic Role")), was to prepare the way for the Lord, Jesus Christ, by calling people to repentance ([Mark 1:4](/mark/1-4 "Mark 1:4 - John's Preaching of Repentance")). The tragic reality that "they have done unto him whatsoever they listed" directly foreshadows the greater suffering and rejection that Jesus Himself would endure. Just as John, the messenger, was persecuted and killed by human will ([Mark 6:14-29](/mark/6-14-29 "Mark 6:14-29 - The Death of John the Baptist")), so too would the Messiah, the very Son of God, be subjected to the will of sinful men, leading to His crucifixion ([Mark 15:1-39](/mark/15-1-39 "Mark 15:1-39 - The Crucifixion of Jesus")). This verse subtly highlights the paradox of God's redemptive plan: the path to ultimate glory and salvation for humanity would come not through worldly power or immediate triumph, but through the suffering and sacrificial death of both the forerunner and the Christ, "as it is written of him" ([Isaiah 53:5-7](/isaiah/53-5-7 "Isaiah 53:5-7 - The Suffering Servant")), ultimately leading to resurrection and victory over sin and death ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection and Lordship")). Thus, John's suffering serves as a prophetic mirror, reflecting the greater suffering of 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")).

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 14:3

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

Matthew 14:11

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought [it] to her mother.

Matthew 17:12

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 11:14

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

Luke 3:19

But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

Luke 3:20

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.