John the Baptist, Elijah or One of the Prophets - Mark 8:28

Mark wrote how Jesus “went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of his book, Mark shared how Jesus' disciples answered, “John the Baptist … Elijah” or “one of the prophets” where we read:

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

The verse reads, “And they answered, John the Baptist: ” Mark began with the words, “and they answered” which means “and Jesus' disciples responded”, “John the Baptist” or “the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver who was known to administer the rite of baptism”. Mark shared how Jesus' disciples said the people thought Jesus was “John the Baptist” who was Jesus' cousin and forerunner to God's “Messiah” and “Christ”.

The verse continues, “but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.” Mark added the words, “but some say” which means “however, nonetheless, moreover and other people utter, declare and proclaim that Jesus is”, “Elias” or “Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah and was a prophet born at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah”; “and others” which means “and other people declare that Jesus is”, “One of the prophets” or “a particular or certain one of the ones who moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesmen who solemnly declare to men what they have received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Mark shared how the disciples told Jesus other people thought He was “Elijah” or one of the other “prophets” of old.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how people were making different assessments as to who Jesus was. Jesus asked His disciples about this because He was going to ask them whether they knew who He was. Jesus is the Son of God and Messiah who was sent from His Heavenly Father to be the “Savior of the world”. Though people call Jesus all kinds of things and names, He is the only One who is able to “save” people from their sins. Jesus is not “John the Baptist”, nor “Elijah”, nor “One of the prophets”. He is God's Son who died upon the cross for the “sins” of the whole world, and now all who “believe and trust” in Him shall receive “everlasting life” from God. Let all who read these words know and believe who Jesus really is.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “whom say you that I am?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".