And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

MARK 9:12KJV
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Mark 9:12 (KJV)

What does Mark 9:12 mean?

Mark 9:12 records Jesus telling his disciples that Elijah (“Elias” in the King James Version) truly comes first and restores all things, but also points out that the Scriptures say the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected. Jesus is explaining that both Elijah’s coming and the suffering of the Messiah are part of God’s plan as written in Scripture.

In this scene, Jesus is responding to his disciples’ question after they have seen him transfigured and heard talk about Elijah. The disciples are confused about how Elijah fits into the coming of the Messiah. Jesus affirms that Elijah’s role is important but shifts their focus to the suffering that the “Son of Man” (a title Jesus uses for himself) must endure, highlighting that restoration and suffering are both part of what has been foretold.

The Greek behind Mark 9:12

  • Ἠλίας (Ēlias): This is the Greek form of “Elijah,” the Old Testament prophet. Jesus refers to Elijah’s expected return, which many Jews believed would happen before the Messiah appeared.
  • ἀποκαθίστησιν (apokathistēsin): Translated “restoreth,” this word means to set things back in order or return them to their proper state. Jesus says Elijah’s role is to restore, suggesting a spiritual renewal or preparation.
  • πολλὰ (polla): This word means “many things” and is used here to describe the extent of the suffering the Son of Man must endure. It emphasizes that the suffering is not minor or incidental, but significant and varied.
  • ἐξουδενηθῇ (exoudenēthē): Translated “be set at nought,” this word means to be despised, regarded as nothing, or utterly rejected. Jesus is pointing out that the Messiah’s rejection is not a surprise but something already written in Scripture.

Why Mark 9:12 matters

  • Mark 9:12 clarifies that the coming of Elijah and the suffering of the Messiah are not contradictory but both are part of the prophetic story found in Scripture.
  • This verse helps correct the common expectation among Jews of the time that the Messiah would only come in glory and victory, by showing that suffering and rejection are also essential parts of the Messiah’s mission.
  • Mark 9:12 connects the disciples’ confusion about prophecy with Jesus’ own path, helping readers see how Jesus interprets and fulfills Old Testament expectations in ways that were not widely understood.

Where else these words appear

“restoreth” Greek G600 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
  • Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
  • Luke 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

“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.

“suffer” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“first” Greek G4412 · used in 61 verses

  • Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
  • Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
  • Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;