Mark 9:13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning his unlawful marriage to Herodias (Mark 6:17-18) and executed at Herodias' request (Mark 6:24-28), likely around AD 28-29. This occurred during Jesus' Galilean ministry. John's martyrdom demonstrated the spiritual darkness and moral corruption of Israel's leadership. The phrase 'as it is written of him' may refer to the suffering servant passages or the persecution of prophets throughout Israel's history (1 Kings 19:10; Nehemiah 9:26; Matthew 23:29-37). Jesus' identification of John with Elijah wasn't literal reincarnation but typological fulfillment—John came in Elijah's spirit and power, calling Israel to repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the pattern of God's messengers suffering rejection prepare us for opposition when faithfully proclaiming the gospel?
- What does the connection between John's suffering and Jesus' coming suffering reveal about the cost of advancing God's kingdom?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus confirmed, 'Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed' (Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθεν, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἤθελον). This identifies John the Baptist as the Elijah-figure prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. The phrase 'they have done unto him whatsoever they listed' (ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἤθελον) refers to John's imprisonment and execution by Herod (Mark 6:14-29). Jesus draws a sobering parallel: if the forerunner suffered rejection and death, the Messiah will face the same. The pattern of redemptive history involves God's messengers suffering at human hands. This fulfills the prophetic trajectory—Isaiah 53 describes the servant 'despised and rejected,' Jeremiah was persecuted, prophets were martyred. Jesus teaches that suffering isn't deviation from God's plan but its fulfillment.