Mark 9:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The disciples ask why the scribes teach that Elijah must come before the Messiah.
What Does Mark 9:11 Mean?
The question rises straight from the mountain, for they have just seen Elijah. The scribes taught from Malachi that God would send Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the LORD (Malachi 4:5-6). If the Messiah is already here, the disciples ask, what of Elijah's promised coming?
Beneath the question may lie a deeper puzzle: if Elijah comes first and restores all things, why must the Son of man suffer? The disciples do the right thing with their confusion; they bring it to Jesus. The hard places of Scripture are not meant to be smoothed over or abandoned, but asked about in His presence, where the pieces are finally set in order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 9:11
What does Mark 9:11 mean?
The disciples ask why the scribes teach that Elijah must come before the Messiah.