Mark 9:12
And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 24
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἐλθὼν
cometh
G2064
ἐλθὼν
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 24
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀποκαθιστᾳ
and restoreth
G600
ἀποκαθιστᾳ
and restoreth
Strong's:
G600
Word #:
10 of 24
to reconstitute (in health, home or organization)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
13 of 24
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
14 of 24
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ἐπὶ
of
G1909
ἐπὶ
of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
the Son
G5207
υἱὸν
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
17 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολλὰ
many things
G4183
πολλὰ
many things
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
21 of 24
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
πάθῃ
he must suffer
G3958
πάθῃ
he must suffer
Strong's:
G3958
Word #:
22 of 24
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
Cross References
Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Isaiah 52:14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:Luke 23:11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.Malachi 4:6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.Psalms 74:22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.Zechariah 11:13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.Matthew 26:24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.Matthew 16:21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Historical Context
Jewish messianic expectation focused on conquering king (Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14), largely ignoring suffering servant passages (Isaiah 42; 49; 50; 53). The Dead Sea Scrolls and other Second Temple literature reveal messianic hopes centered on military victory over Rome. Jesus radically redefined expectations by emphasizing scriptural suffering. Isaiah 53 describes the servant 'despised and rejected,' bearing sin and being 'cut off' for transgressions. Psalm 22 graphically depicts crucifixion suffering. These texts were considered prophetic but not clearly messianic in first-century Judaism. Jesus' interpretive key—the Messiah must suffer—was revolutionary. Early Christian apologetics centered on showing that Scripture prophesied a suffering Messiah (Acts 17:2-3; 26:22-23), not theological innovation but proper Old Testament interpretation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' teaching that both restoration (Elijah) and suffering (Son of Man) are scripturally necessary challenge one-sided theologies emphasizing either triumph or suffering alone?
- What does the 'must' of suffering reveal about the essential nature of Christ's atoning work—not optional but divinely purposed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus affirmed, 'Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things' (Ἠλίας μὲν ἐλθὼν πρῶτον ἀποκαθιστάνει πάντα). The verb apokathistanei (ἀποκαθιστάνει, 'restores') indicates comprehensive restoration—Elijah's forerunner ministry would prepare hearts for Messiah. John the Baptist fulfilled this role, calling Israel to repentance (Mark 1:4). Jesus then asks, 'how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought?' (πῶς γέγραπται ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἵνα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ ἐξουδενηθῇ;). This juxtaposes restoration with suffering—both are scripturally necessary. Isaiah 53 prophesies the suffering servant 'despised and rejected' (exoudenēthē, ἐξουδενηθῇ). Jesus teaches that Messiah's glory comes through suffering, not despite it. The 'must' (hina, ἵνα, expressing divine purpose) indicates suffering isn't accidental but central to redemptive plan. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ's passive and active obedience—suffering God's wrath (passive) and perfectly obeying (active) to accomplish salvation.