Mark 8:28
New International Version
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

New Living Translation
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

English Standard Version
And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

Berean Standard Bible
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they spoke to Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

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

New King James Version
So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

New American Standard Bible
They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

NASB 1995
They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”

NASB 1977
And they told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”

Amplified Bible
They answered Him, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”

Berean Annotated Bible
They replied, “Some say John (YHWH is gracious) the Baptist; others say Elijah (my God is YHWH); and still others, one of the prophets.

Christian Standard Bible
They answered him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They answered Him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”

American Standard Version
And they told him, saying, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.

Contemporary English Version
The disciples answered, "Some say you are John the Baptist or maybe Elijah. Others say you are one of the prophets."

English Revised Version
And they told him, saying, John the Baptist: and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They answered him, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets."

Good News Translation
"Some say that you are John the Baptist," they answered; "others say that you are Elijah, while others say that you are one of the prophets."

International Standard Version
They answered him, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets."

NET Bible
They said, "John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets."

New Heart English Bible
And they said to him, saying, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets,

Weymouth New Testament
"John the Baptist," they replied, "but others say Elijah, and others, that it is one of the Prophets."
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

World English Bible
They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they answered, “John the Immerser, and others Elijah, but others one of the prophets.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they spoke to Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they answered, 'John the Baptist, and others Elijah, but others one of the prophets.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they answered, John the Immerser: and some, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who answered him, saying: John the Baptist; but some Elias, and others as one of the prophets.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they answered him by saying: “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others perhaps one of the prophets.”

New American Bible
They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”

New Revised Standard Version
And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They said, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and yet others, One of the prophets.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Some said, “Yohannan the Baptizer”, and others “Elijah” and others, “One of The Prophets.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They answered: John the Immerser; and others, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.

Godbey New Testament
And they answered Him saying, John the Baptist: and others, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets.

Haweis New Testament
And they answered, John the Baptist: others say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Mace New Testament
they answered, some say you are John the Baptist; others, Elias; and others, one of the prophets.

Weymouth New Testament
"John the Baptist," they replied, "but others say Elijah, and others, that it is one of the Prophets."

Worrell New Testament
And they told Him, saying, 'John the Immerser;' and others, 'Elijah;' but others, 'One of the prophets.'"

Worsley New Testament
And they answered, Some say, John the baptist; and others, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Peter's Confession of Christ
27Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”…

Cross References
They replied,

Matthew 16:14
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Luke 9:19
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”
“Some say John the Baptist;

Matthew 14:2
and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Mark 6:14-16
Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” / But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

Luke 9:7-9
When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, / others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. / “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.
others say Elijah;

Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Matthew 17:10-13
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” …
and still others, one of the prophets.”

Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.

John 6:14
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Luke 7:16
A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”
John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

John 7:40-41
On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” / Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee?

2 Kings 2:11-12
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. / As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.


Treasury of Scripture

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

John.

Mark 6:14-16
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him…

Matthew 14:2
And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Matthew 16:14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Elias.

Mark 9:11-13
And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? …

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Elijah.

John 1:21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

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Mark 8
1. Jesus feeds the people miraculously;
10. refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees;
14. admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;
22. gives a blind man his sight;
27. acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again;
34. and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.












They replied,

The disciples reported the varied opinions circulating among the crowds who had seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching.

Mat 16:14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; …
Luk 9:19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;…

“Some say John the Baptist;

John had recently been executed by Herod Antipas, and some believed Jesus was John raised from the dead. John’s prophetic ministry and call to repentance had left a strong impression on the nation.

Mat 14:2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist;…
Mrk 6:14-16 Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name…
Luk 9:7-9 When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening…

others say Elijah;

Many Jews expected Elijah to appear before the coming of the Lord’s day. Jesus’ miracles and authority led some to identify Him with the great prophet of Israel’s past.

Mal 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet…
Mat 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah…
Mat 17:10-13 The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say…

and still others, one of the prophets.”

Others recognized Jesus as a prophet sent by God, continuing Israel’s prophetic tradition. Though these views acknowledged His authority, they fell short of recognizing Him as the Messiah.

Deu 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…
Jhn 6:14 When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed,…
Luk 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
Central figure in the Gospel of Mark, whose identity and mission are being explored in this passage.

2. Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are reporting the various opinions of the people regarding Jesus' identity.

3. John the Baptist
A prophet who prepared the way for Jesus, known for his call to repentance and baptism.

4. Elijah
An Old Testament prophet known for his powerful miracles and expected to return before the Messiah.

5. Prophets
Messengers of God in the Old Testament who conveyed God's word to the people.
Teaching Points
Understanding Jesus' Identity
The passage highlights the varied perceptions of Jesus' identity, emphasizing the importance of understanding who Jesus truly is.

Prophetic Expectations
The mention of Elijah and the prophets reflects the Jewish expectation of a messianic figure, reminding us of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus.

Personal Reflection on Jesus
Just as the disciples were asked about public opinion, we are challenged to consider our personal understanding and relationship with Jesus.

Role of Prophets
The reference to prophets underscores the continuity of God's revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament, encouraging us to study the whole counsel of God.

Discerning Truth in a Confused World
The varied opinions about Jesus remind us of the need for discernment and reliance on Scripture to understand spiritual truths.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Mark 8:28?

2. How can we discern true identity of Jesus like in Mark 8:28?

3. What does Mark 8:28 teach about public perception versus divine revelation?

4. How does Mark 8:28 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?

5. How should Mark 8:28 influence our conversations about Jesus with others?

6. What steps can we take to avoid misconceptions about Jesus today?

7. How does Mark 8:28 reflect the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity?

8. Why do people in Mark 8:28 compare Jesus to John the Baptist or Elijah?

9. What historical context influences the perceptions in Mark 8:28?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 8?


The verse captures the range of public opinion: honoring Jesus as extraordinary yet refusing to embrace His full identity. Whether likening Him to John resurrected, Elijah returned, or another prophet, the crowd’s answers fell short of recognizing the living Christ, the Son of God. Mark records these misconceptions to prepare us for Peter’s confession in the next verse (Mark 8:29). In every age, the crucial issue remains the same: move beyond respectful guesses about Jesus and bow to the truth Scripture proclaims—He is the promised Messiah and Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They answered,
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“[Some say] John
Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Baptist;
Βαπτιστήν (Baptistēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 910: From baptizo; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner.

others [say]
ἄλλοι (alloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

Elijah;
Ἠλίαν (Ēlian)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2243: Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.

and still
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

others [say You are]
ἄλλοι (alloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prophets.”
προφητῶν (prophētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.


Additonal Resources
Mark 8:28 Blue Letter Bible
Mark 8:28 Bible Gateway
Mark 8:28 Bible.com

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NT Gospels: Mark 8:28 They told him John the Baptizer (Mar Mk Mr)

Mark 8:27
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