This question from the disciples isn't just about a missed prophecy; it's about their own expectations clashing with Jesus' reality. They're wrestling with how the scribes' popular interpretation of Elijah returning before the Messiah fits with Jesus' own upcoming suffering, revealing a deeper confusion about divine plans versus human tradition.
And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off the awe-inspiring glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus charges his disciples to keep silent about what they'd seen until after his resurrection, which leaves them confused and questioning. As they descend the mountain, their minds grapple with the resurrection and the cryptic words of Jesus, leading them to ask about a popular teaching among the scribes regarding Elijah's return before the Messiah. This question stems from their understanding of Old Testament prophecies and how they expected the Messiah's arrival to unfold.
Imagine the disciples, buzzing with the incredible vision they just witnessed. Then, a question pops up, rooted in their understanding of Scripture: 'Why do the religious leaders say Elijah has to show up before all this can happen?'
The scribes and religious leaders of Jesus' day held a very specific expectation about the Messiah's arrival. They understood the prophecy in Malachi 4:5 to mean that Elijah the Tishbite, a prominent prophet from the Old Testament, would physically return before the Messiah appeared.
What Was the Expectation?
This expectation was so deeply ingrained that it served as a potential 'litmus test' for identifying the Messiah, and it created a significant hurdle for accepting Jesus.
The disciples ask about Elijah's expected arrival. Jesus's response isn't a simple 'yes' or 'no,' but a profound redirection that likely left them scratching their heads… until later.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus confirms that Elijah is supposed to come, aligning with the prophecy. However, He immediately pivots to challenge their understanding and reveal a deeper truth.
The Twist:
This highlights a recurring theme: God's ways of fulfilling His promises often look very different from human expectations, especially when those expectations are based on tradition rather than deep spiritual insight.
Understand the original words
grammateus · Greek Noun
A professional class of scholars, copyists, and interpreters of the Mosaic Law who held significant religious and political authority in Jewish society. They were often tasked with preserving and teaching the Scriptures.
Eliyahu / Hēlias · Hebrew/Greek Proper Noun
The great prophet of the Northern Kingdom, known for his bold stand against Baal worship and his expectation as the forerunner of the Messiah. In Jewish tradition, his return was awaited as a prerequisite for the coming of the Lord.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun Phrase
A messianic title derived from Daniel 7:13-14, referring to the One who possesses divine authority and sovereignty, yet undergoes suffering and rejection to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. It was Jesus' preferred way of referring to Himself.
paschō · Greek Verb
To undergo pain, hardship, or affliction, often in the context of faithfulness to God’s calling. In biblical theology, this is a defining characteristic of the Messiah's mission to reconcile humanity to God.
exoutheneō · Greek Verb
The state of being regarded as worthless, despised, or shamed by others. In the biblical narrative, this is frequently the attitude of the world toward God's servants and specifically toward Christ during His passion.
The disciples' question reveals a common Jewish expectation based on Malachi's prophecy: Elijah must return *before* the Messiah. This expectation was often understood literally, envisioning Elijah as a triumphant herald. Jesus uses this question to reveal that Elijah *had* come in the person of John the Baptist, but was rejected, thus highlighting how their understanding of prophecy and the Messiah's suffering was fundamentally flawed.
c. 400 BC
Malachi's Prophecy
The prophet Malachi foretells that Elijah will return to prepare the way before the great and terrible day of the Lord, and to reconcile divided hearts.
1st century BC - 1st century AD
Development of Jewish Expectations
During this period, Jewish scribes and scholars widely interpreted Malachi's prophecy to mean that Elijah himself, the Tishbite, would physically return before the Messiah's arrival, often expecting him to restore national fortunes.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, preaching repentance in the wilderness of Judea and baptizing people, fulfilling the role of a forerunner.
c. AD 28-30
John the Baptist's Imprisonment and Death
John the Baptist is imprisoned and later beheaded by Herod Antipas, a fate the scribes might not have associated with the expected triumphant return of Elijah.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Transfiguration and Inquiry
Following the transfiguration, Jesus instructs his disciples not to reveal the vision until after his resurrection, leading them to question the scribes' teaching about Elijah's prior arrival.
This is the prophetic passage that the scribes were referencing, stating that Elijah would come before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord."
Luke 1:17This verse explains that John the Baptist would go before the Lord 'in the spirit and power of Elijah,' directly linking the prophecy to John's ministry, which Jesus is explaining here.
Matthew 11:14Jesus explicitly states, 'And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come,' directly identifying John the Baptist with the prophesied Elijah, as discussed in Mark 9.
Matthew 17:10-13This parallel account of the Transfiguration and subsequent conversation provides a fuller picture of the disciples' questions about Elijah and Jesus' response, clarifying the misunderstanding.
John 1:21The disciples question John the Baptist directly about his identity and if he is Elijah, showing the common understanding and debate around this prophecy that Mark 9 addresses.
calvinMark 9:9-13: "And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead."
- And as they were going down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. 10. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? 11. And Jesus answering said to them, Elijah indeed will come first, and res…
bengelMark 9:11: "And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?"
Mark 9:11 . Ὅτι λέγουσιν , they say ) An interrogation by implication.[3] [ τρῶτον , first ) before that the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come, Malachi 4:5 . The disciples appear to have supposed, that it was to be on that day that the resurrection, even as of all the dead of every class, so also of Christ, since even He must die, would take place; and that it is for that reason the exceedingly…
This question from the disciples isn't just about a missed prophecy; it's about their own expectations clashing with Jesus' reality. They're wrestling with how the scribes' popular interpretation of Elijah returning before the Messiah fits with Jesus' own upcoming suffering, revealing a deeper confusion about divine plans versus human tradition.
Fresh off the awe-inspiring glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus charges his disciples to keep silent about what they'd seen until after his resurrection, which leaves them confused and questioning. As they descend the mountain, their minds grapple with the resurrection and the cryptic words of Jesus, leading them to ask about a popular teaching among the scribes regarding Elijah's return before the Messiah. This question stems from their understanding of Old Testament prophecies and how they expected the Messiah's arrival to unfold.
Fresh off the awe-inspiring glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus charges his disciples to keep silent about what they'd seen until after his resurrection, which leaves them confused and questioning. As they descend the mountain, their minds grapple with the resurrection and the cryptic words of Jesus, leading them to ask about a popular teaching among the scribes regarding Elijah's return before the Messiah. This question stems from their understanding of Old Testament prophecies and how they expected the Messiah's arrival to unfold.
"And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with con…" — This question from the disciples isn't just about a missed prophecy; it's about their own expectations clashing with Jesus' reality. They're wrestling with how the scribes' popular interpretation of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
