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Luke 9:8
ESV by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.
NIV others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.
NASB and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.
CSB some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.
NLT Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.
KJV And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
NKJV and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

What does Luke 9:8 mean?

Herod Antipas has heard about Jesus and has grown curious. Jesus started His public ministry when Antipas arrested John the Baptist (Mark 1:14–15). Since Antipas rules Perea, which borders the Jordan where John preached and baptized, as well as Galilee, where Jesus spends most of His ministry, he has heard quite a bit about Jesus' miracles. What he doesn't know is who Jesus is.

After Jesus raised the son of a widow who lives in Nain, word went out that Jesus is "a great prophet" (Luke 7:16). Since Elijah did not die but rode a fiery chariot to heaven (2 Kings 2:11–12), Jews of that era expected him to return, alive (Malachi 4:5–6).

The thought that a prophet from Israel's history had risen points not only to the Jews' messianic hope, but also to the way Jesus conducted Himself and the content of His ministry. He was like several of the prophets from Israel's history in His proclamations and His miracles. Too, Old Testament prophets were well known for criticizing civil leaders. In that vein, Jesus calls Antipas a "fox" for his duplicity (Luke 13:32) and perhaps makes a veiled reference to him as a "reed shaken by the wind" for his weak character (Matthew 11:7). But Jesus is not merely like Old Testament prophets; He is the prophet Moses promised would come in his place (Deuteronomy 18:15). He is the Messiah.

The other guess for the identity of Jesus is that He is John the Baptist resurrected. Luke infers Antipas's reluctance to believe such a thing (Luke 9:9). Yet in Mark 6:16 Antipas seems to agree that this is the most likely option. During Jesus' trials before the crucifixion, Antipas will have the opportunity to question Jesus, but Jesus will refuse to answer (Luke 23:6–12).
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Context Summary
In Luke 9:7–9, Luke pauses his discussion of Jesus' display of power to comment on Herod Antipas' confusion. Herod has heard of Jesus but doesn't know who He is. In his court, some say He is John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet of old. Herod's uncertainty will continue until he has an opportunity to interview Jesus. On the morning of Christ's crucifixion, the self-styled king Herod meets the King of creation (Luke 23:6–12). His question, however, is one many struggle with (Luke 9:18–20). Matthew 14:1–12 and Mark 6:14–29 also record Antipas' confusion along with accounts of his murder of John the Baptist.
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Chapter Summary
Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.
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What is the Gospel?
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