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

MARK 8:28KJV
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Mark 8:28 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:28 mean?

Mark 8:28 records the disciples telling Jesus about the different opinions people have about who He is: some say He is John the Baptist, others think He is Elijah, and still others believe He is one of the prophets. This verse shows that people were unsure about Jesus’ true identity and connected Him with well-known figures from Israel’s past.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking with His disciples and asking them what people are saying about Him. The disciples answer by listing the main guesses people had, all of which link Jesus to important prophets. This sets up the conversation where Jesus will ask the disciples directly who they think He is, highlighting the confusion and expectation surrounding Jesus at that time.

The Greek behind Mark 8:28

  • Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs, "John"): This is the Greek form of "John," referring to John the Baptist, a recent and well-known prophet who had been executed by Herod.
  • Ἠλίας (Ēlias, "Elias"): This is the Greek form of "Elijah," a famous Old Testament prophet expected by some Jews to return before the Messiah came.
  • προφητῶν (prophētōn, "prophets"): This word refers to the prophets in general, showing that some people thought Jesus was another in the line of God’s messengers.

Why Mark 8:28 matters

  • Mark 8:28 highlights the confusion and speculation about Jesus’ identity, showing that even those who witnessed His works did not agree on who He was.
  • The verse connects Jesus to Israel’s prophetic tradition, underlining that people saw Him as someone with a special relationship to God, even if they did not recognize Him as the Messiah.
  • This moment prepares the reader for Peter’s confession in the next verse, making the disciples’ understanding stand out against the uncertainty of the crowds.

Where else these words appear

“Baptist” Greek G910 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
  • Mark 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

“Elias” Greek G2243 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
  • Mark 6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

“John” Greek G2491 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
  • John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

“some” Greek G243 · used in 141 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
  • Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.