Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 8:28
And they answered, John the Baptist: but some [say,] Elijah; and others, One of the prophets.
28. they answered ] In this answer we have the explanation, which common rumour, in His own days, offered of His marvellous works. (1) Some, like the guilty Herod, said He was John the Baptist risen from the dead; (2) others that He was Elijah, who, like Enoch, had never died, but was taken up bodily to heaven and had now returned as Malachi predicted (Mar 4:5); (3) others that He was Jeremiah (Mat 16:14), who was expected to inaugurate the reign of the Messiah; (4) others again that He was one of the “old prophets” (Luk 9:19). But they did not add that any regarded Him as the Messiah.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And they answered,…. That some said he was
John the Baptist; which was the opinion of Herod, and others:
but some say Elias; that is the “Tishbite”, whom the Jews in general expected in person before the coming of the Messiah and imagined that Jesus was he:
and others one of the prophets; as Jeremiah or Isaiah or some other. The Vulgate Latin reads, “as one of the prophets”; and so Beza’s ancient copy as in Mr 6:15. All spake highly and honourably of him: the people in common did not look upon him as a mean person; they perceived by his doctrine and more especially by his miracles that he was an extraordinary one: the several persons which they differently took him to be and make mention of were such as were of great repute; as John the Baptist, who had lately, been among them and whom all held to be a prophet, and indeed was more than a prophet; and Elias who was so very zealous for the Lord of hosts and wrought many miracles in his day; and whose coming the Jews were in expectation of to usher in the Messiah; and none thought him less than one of the prophets; and all agreed he was an uncommon man; even one raised from the dead as he must be, if he was John the Baptist or Elias or one of the old prophets; but they knew him not at least did not confess him to be the Messiah; he not appearing as a temporal prince, they were taught to believe he would be;
[See comments on Mt 16:14].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And they told him ( ). They knew only too well. See on Matt 16:14; Matt 16:28 for discussion.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And they answered, John the Baptist: (hoi deeipan auto legontes hoti loannen tou baptisten) “And they explained to Him, saying, John the Baptist,” who has risen from the dead, like Herod had thought Jesus to be John when he heard of the miracles of Jesus, Mat 14:1-2, Mar 6:14.
2) “But some say, Elias” (kai alloi Elian) “And others believe that you are Elias,” or Elijah who was caught up into heaven in a whirlwind, Mat 16:14; 2Ki 2:11.
3) ”And others, One of the prophets.” (alloi de hoti eis ton propheton) “Yet others are just as certain that you are one of the prophets,” one of the old prophets, Mat 16:14; Luk 9:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say , Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Ver. 28. See Trapp on “ Mat 16:13 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mar 8:28 . . , they said, saying; tautology, somewhat like the vulgar English idiom: He said, says he; fixing attention on what is said. . .: the accusative depending on understood. This infinitive construction passes into direct speech in the last clause: ( ) . . The opinions reported are much the same as in Mar 6:14-15 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
but some = and others. Greek alloi. App-124.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
John: Mar 6:14-16, Mat 14:2, Mat 16:14, Luk 9:7-9
Elias: Mar 9:11-13, Mal 4:5, Elijah, Joh 1:21
Reciprocal: Mar 6:15 – it is Elias Luk 9:8 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8
These opinions were based on the doctrine called “transmigration,” which is explained by a note at Mat 14:2.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Verse 28
Hitherto Jesus seems never to have claimed, or even openly admitted, that he was the Messiah. The disciples had been left to form their own judgment in respect to his person and character.