Bible Strands
Mark 9:4
And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus stands before Peter, James, and John immediately after his garments become radiantly white. Elijah and Moses manifest to the disciples and begin conversing with Jesus.
The words — ὤφθη (ōphthē) means "appeared" and denotes the sudden visual manifestation of Elijah and Moses to the group. ἦσαν (ēsan) translates as "they were," marking the continuous state of their dialogue with Jesus.
The thread — The same appearance and conversation occur in Matthew 17:3 and Luke 9:30. Luke 24:44 later points back to the fulfilled Scriptures that Jesus previously explained to his followers.
Why it lands — The text establishes Elijah and Moses as witnesses who physically manifest and speak with Jesus. It requires the reader to recognize that Jesus occupies the central position of biblical fulfillment rather than sharing equal status with the two figures.
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
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Cross-references
- Luke 9:30 Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus.
- Matthew 17:3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
- Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- John 5:39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
- Acts 3:21 Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets.
- Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
- Luke 9:19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”
- Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
- Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said.
- 2 Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.