Luke 9:8
And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
Original Language Analysis
ὑπό
of
G5259
ὑπό
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
1 of 14
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 14
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐφάνη
had appeared
G5316
ἐφάνη
had appeared
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
6 of 14
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 14
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
προφήτης
prophets
G4396
προφήτης
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
10 of 14
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Historical Context
Jewish messianic expectation in the first century was diverse and complex. Some anticipated Elijah's return based on Malachi; others expected the "prophet like Moses" (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). Intertestamental literature and the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal expectations of multiple eschatological figures—a prophet, a priestly Messiah, and a kingly Messiah. Jesus's miracles (healing, multiplication of food, raising the dead) paralleled both Moses and Elijah-Elisha cycles, fueling these speculations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people tend to fit Jesus into inadequate categories (great teacher, prophet, moral example) rather than accepting His claim to be God's unique Son?
- How does the expectation of Elijah's return before the Messiah help explain John the Baptist's preparatory ministry?
- What does the diversity of speculation about Jesus's identity reveal about human attempts to understand divine revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And of some, that Elias had appeared—The Greek Ēlias (Ἠλίας) is Elijah, whose return was prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6 to precede "the great and dreadful day of the LORD." Jewish expectation held that Elijah would reappear before the Messiah to restore all things. Some saw Jesus's miracles and authority as fulfilling this eschatological hope.
And of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again (ὅτι προφήτης τις τῶν ἀρχαίων ἀνέστη, hoti prophētēs tis tōn archaiōn anestē)—the verb anestē ("rose up, was resurrected") indicates literal resurrection, not metaphorical renewal. The people recognized that Jesus's ministry bore the marks of the great prophets—Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah—but with unprecedented power. The speculation reveals partial truth: Jesus was indeed a prophet (Luke 7:16, 24:19), but infinitely more than a prophet—He is the Son of God, the Messiah. These inadequate categories show humanity's tendency to fit Jesus into familiar boxes rather than recognizing His unique identity.