Mark 9:4

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

And {G2532} there appeared {G3700} unto them {G846} Elias {G2243} with {G4862} Moses {G3475}: and {G2532} they were {G2258} talking {G4814} with Jesus {G2424}.

Then they saw Eliyahu and Moshe speaking with Yeshua.

And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

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

Commentary

Context of Mark 9:4

Mark 9:4 is part of the pivotal event known as the Transfiguration of Jesus, which is also recorded in Matthew 17:3 and Luke 9:30. This extraordinary moment occurs after Jesus has predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection to His disciples (Mark 8:31). Jesus took Peter, James, and John—His inner circle of disciples—up a high mountain, where He was suddenly transfigured before them, His raiment becoming exceeding white (Mark 9:2-3). Verse 4 describes the immediate aftermath of this transformation, where two monumental figures from Israel's history appear.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Validation of Jesus' Identity: The appearance of Moses and Elijah serves as a powerful divine endorsement of Jesus. Moses represents the Law, having received it on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20), while Elijah represents the Prophets, being one of the greatest prophets in Israel's history (1 Kings 18:20-40). Their presence and conversation with Jesus signify that He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament Law and Prophets, the very culmination of God's redemptive plan (Luke 24:44).
  • A Glimpse of Glory: This event offers the disciples a temporary, yet profound, vision of Jesus' divine glory and heavenly majesty. It foreshadows His ultimate triumph over death, His resurrection, and His future glorious reign.
  • Continuity of God's Plan: The seamless interaction between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah emphasizes the continuity of God's work through history. The Old Covenant points to the New, and Christ is the central figure unifying all of God's revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Elias" is the Greek form of the Hebrew prophet "Elijah" (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu), meaning "My God is Yahweh." His appearance with Moses underscores his significant role as a prophetic figure, particularly in Jewish expectation of the Messiah's coming (Malachi 4:5). The Greek word for "appeared" (ὤφθη - ōphthē) is a passive form of a verb meaning "to see" or "to be seen," often used in the New Testament to describe supernatural or divine manifestations, indicating that their presence was a miraculous, visible revelation.

Practical Application

Mark 9:4 reminds believers that Jesus is the ultimate authority and the fulfillment of all God's promises. Just as Moses and Elijah pointed to Him, so too does all of Scripture. This passage encourages us to fix our gaze on Jesus, recognizing His unique divine nature and His supreme authority over all creation and revelation. The Transfiguration, with its glimpse of glory, provides hope and reassurance that Jesus' suffering was not the end, but a necessary path to His glorious resurrection and eternal reign, a truth later confirmed by God's voice from the cloud (Mark 9:7).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 9:30

    And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

  • Luke 9:31

    Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 3:21

    Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

  • Acts 3:24

    Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

  • Matthew 17:3

    And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

  • Matthew 17:4

    Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

  • 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.
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