Bible Strands
Mark 6:15
Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Anonymous crowds circulate conflicting identities for Jesus while King Herod investigates the source of his reported miracles. This report reaches Herod’s court immediately after he learns that rumors claim Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected.
The words — The Greek ἄλλοι (alloi) appears twice to mark shifting public opinion, while Ἠλίας (Ēlias) names the expected forerunner. These terms record the crowd’s speculation without confirming any specific identity.
The thread — This identification pattern echoes Malachi 4:5, which promises Elijah’s return before the Day of the LORD, and appears in Matthew 16:14 alongside claims of John or Jeremiah. The crowds consistently measure Jesus against established prophetic figures rather than recognizing his distinct authority.
Why it lands — The verse forces readers to confront how easily public speculation replaces direct encounter with Jesus’ actual identity. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of whether one accepts Jesus on his own terms or reduces him to familiar categories.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
Cross-references
- Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
- Matthew 16:14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
- Matthew 21:11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
- Mark 8:28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
- Matthew 17:10 The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- Mark 9:12 He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected?
- Mark 15:35 When some of those standing nearby heard this, they said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.”
- Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
- Luke 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”
- Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”