Luke 9:8 - Printer Friendly

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.

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).

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.

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.

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.