Mark 9:13 Meaning and Explanation
“But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus declares that Elijah has indeed come, and people did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.
What Does Mark 9:13 Mean?
Jesus points to a coming already accomplished: Elijah is indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished. One had come in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the Lord's way (Luke 1:17), and Matthew records that the disciples understood He spoke of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:13), seized and put to death at a ruler's whim, as Elijah was once hunted by Ahab and Jezebel.
The forerunner's fate foreshadows the Son's. If men did as they pleased with the messenger, the One he announced should expect no gentler welcome. God's promised work had arrived, and much of the world had missed it. The verse calls for watchful hearts, lest heaven's fulfillments pass unrecognized before our own eyes.
Mark 9:13 in the Original Language
thelo (θέλω), 'listed' -- to will or wish; the old English listed means they did whatever they desired.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 9:13
What does Mark 9:13 mean?
Jesus declares that Elijah has indeed come, and people did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.