Mark 6:15

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

This verse from Mark 6:15 captures some of the popular speculation surrounding Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, particularly after news of His powerful works and the sending out of the twelve apostles began to spread widely. It reveals the various attempts by the people to understand and categorize who Jesus was.

Context

Mark chapter 6 describes Jesus' rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, the sending out of the twelve disciples with authority, and the subsequent reactions to Jesus' growing fame and power. Immediately preceding this verse, King Herod hears about Jesus and is troubled, speculating that Jesus must be John the Baptist risen from the dead (Mark 6:14). Verse 15 presents the diverse opinions held by others in contrast to Herod's view. This period was marked by significant public interest and varied interpretations of Jesus' identity based on His actions.

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding of Jesus' Identity: The verse highlights the confusion and differing opinions among the people regarding who Jesus truly was. While recognizing His power, they struggled to grasp His unique divine nature.
  • Comparison to Prophets: People compared Jesus to significant figures from Israel's history, specifically Elias (Elijah) and other revered prophets. This shows they perceived Him as a man of God with extraordinary spiritual authority, but still within the known categories of their religious understanding.
  • Expectation of Prophetic Figures: The mention of Elias reflects the Jewish expectation, based on prophecy (like Malachi 4:5), that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah or the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Identifying Jesus as Elias indicates a belief that significant end-time events were potentially unfolding.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Elias" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Elijah." Elijah was one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament, known for his power, confrontation with idolatry, and his unique departure from earth (being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind). The comparison to Elijah was a significant one, placing Jesus in the highest echelon of prophetic figures. The phrase "a prophet, or as one of the prophets" suggests a broader category – perhaps recognizing His prophetic ministry but not necessarily identifying Him with a specific historical figure like Elijah.

Related Scriptures

This verse is part of a larger narrative where people attempt to understand Jesus. The specific comparison to Elijah is echoed elsewhere; Jesus Himself alludes to John the Baptist fulfilling the role of Elijah in Matthew 11:14. The general idea of people recognizing Jesus as a prophet is seen in passages like John 6:14 after the feeding of the five thousand, and Luke 7:16 after He raised the widow's son. These comparisons, while acknowledging His power, fall short of the full truth of His divine sonship.

Practical Application

Just as in Jesus' time, people today hold many different views about who Jesus is. Some see Him as a great moral teacher, a prophet, or a historical figure, but not the Son of God. This verse reminds us that popular opinion or human speculation is not the basis for understanding Jesus. A true understanding comes from the revelation found in Scripture, which testifies to His unique identity as God incarnate, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. Our task is to move beyond mere comparison to prophets and embrace the full truth of who He is.

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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

  • Matthew 21:11 (5 votes)

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

  • Mark 8:28 (4 votes)

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

  • Malachi 4:5 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 16:14 (4 votes)

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

  • John 6:14 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Matthew 17:11 (2 votes)

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