Mark 6:15

THE MESSAGE

Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But others said, “He’s Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet, like one of the prophets from long ago.”

King James Version (1611)
Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a Prophet, or as one of the Prophets.

King James Version
Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

English Standard Version
But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

New American Standard Bible
But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

New Century Version
Others said, "He is Elijah." Other people said, "Jesus is a prophet, like the prophets who lived long ago."

Amplified Bible
But others were saying, "He is Elijah!" And others were saying, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets [of old]."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

Legacy Standard Bible
But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

Berean Standard Bible
Others said, "He is Elijah," and still others, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

Contemporary English Version
Others thought he was Elijah or some other prophet who had lived long ago.

Complete Jewish Bible
Others said, "It is Eliyahu!" and still others, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets."

Darby Translation
And others said, It is Elias; and others said, It is a prophet, as one of the prophets.

Easy-to-Read Version
Other people said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet. He is like the prophets who lived long ago."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Other sayd, It is Elias, and some sayd, It is a Prophet, or as one of those Prophets.

George Lamsa Translation
Others said, He is Elijah. And yet others, He is a prophet, just like one of the prophets.

Good News Translation
Others, however, said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."

Lexham English Bible
But others were saying, "He is Elijah," and others were saying, "He is a prophet like one of the prophets."

Literal Translation
Others said, He is Elijah; and others said, He is a prophet or as one of the prophets.

American Standard Version
But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets.

Bible in Basic English
But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even like one of the prophets.

Hebrew Names Version
But others said, "It is Eliyah." Others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."

International Standard Version
Others were saying, "He is Elijah." Still others were saying, "He is a prophet like one of the otherother">[fn] prophets."Matthew 16:14; Mark 8:28;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Others said, He is Elia; and others, A prophet as one from the prophets.

Murdock Translation
Others said: He is Elijah: and others: He is a prophet, like one of the prophets.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Other saide, it is Elias. Some saide, it is a prophete, or as one of the prophetes.

English Revised Version
But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets.

World English Bible
But others said, "It is Elijah." Others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Others said, It is Elijah: and others said, It is a prophet, as one of the prophets.

Weymouth's New Testament
Others asserted that He was Elijah. Others again said, "He is a Prophet, like one of the great Prophets."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Othir seiden, That it is Helie; but othir seiden, That it is a profete, as oon of profetis.

Update Bible Version
But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, [It is] a prophet, [even] as one of the prophets.

Webster's Bible Translation
Others said, That it is Elijah. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

New English Translation
Others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past."

New King James Version
Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or [fn] like one of the prophets."

New Living Translation
Others said, "He's the prophet Elijah." Still others said, "He's a prophet like the other great prophets of the past."

New Life Bible
Other people said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is one who speaks for God like one of the early preachers."

New Revised Standard
But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, others, were saying - It is Elijah, and, others were saying - A prophet, like one of the prophets!

Douay-Rheims Bible
And others said: It is Elias. But others said: It is a prophet, as one of the prophets.

Revised Standard Version
But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wother sayd it is Helyas: and some sayde: it is a Prophet or as one of ye Prophetes.

Young's Literal Translation
Others said -- `It is Elijah,' and others said -- `It is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But some sayde: It is Elias. Some sayde: It is a prophet, or one of ye prophetes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
others said, 'tis Elias. others, 'tis a prophet, or one equal to a prophet.

Simplified Cowboy Version
and others said Jesus was Elijah or a new cowboy of God like there used to be in the olden days.

Contextual Overview

¹⁴ King Herod heard of all this, for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead—that's why he's able to work miracles!" ¹⁵ Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets." ¹⁶ But Herod wouldn't budge: "It's John, sure enough. I cut off his head, and now he's back, alive." ¹⁷Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn't dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt—and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. ²¹But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial. The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper." Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?" But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory." That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish." Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that's all. And whoever touched him became well. ²³Just a Carpenter He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?" But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further. Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child." Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all. He couldn't get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching. Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. "And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. King Herod heard of all this, for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead—that's why he's able to work miracles!" Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets." But Herod wouldn't budge: "It's John, sure enough. I cut off his head, and now he's back, alive." Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn't dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt—and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" ²⁴ She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." ²⁵ Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" ²⁶That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

it is Elias: Mark 8:28, Mark 9:12, Mark 9:13, Mark 15:35, Mark 15:36, Malachi 4:5, Elijah, Matthew 16:14, Matthew 17:10, Matthew 17:11, Luke 1:17, Luke 9:8, Luke 9:19, John 1:21, John 1:25

a prophet: Matthew 21:11, Luke 7:16, Luke 7:39, John 6:14, John 7:40, John 9:17, Acts 3:22, Acts 3:23

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 3:11
Og king of Bashan was the last remaining Rephaite. His bed, made of iron, was over thirteen feet long and six wide. You can still see it on display in Rabbah of the People of Ammon.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Others said that it is Elias,.... This was the opinion, either of many of the Jews, who expected that Elias the Tishbite would come in person, before the coming of the Messiah; and thought by the appearance and wonderful works of Jesus, that he was now come: or of Herod's courtiers, who said this to divert him from his notion of John the Baptist, which they might perceive was very distressing to him; though the former seems rather to be the sense:

others said, that it is a prophet: or "the prophet", that was to come, whom Moses had spoken of, and the Jews expected; this was the opinion of others of them: or

as one of the prophets. The word η, "or", is left out in some copies; and so it is in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; and then the sense is, this new prophet lately raised up, is as one of the old prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others; or one of them had risen up.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this account of the death of John the Baptist fully explained in the notes at Matthew 14:1-12.

Mark 6:20

For Herod feared John - That is, he stood in awe of him on account of his sanctity, and his boldness and fearlessness in reproving sin.

Knowing that he was a just man and an Holy - A holy, pious, upright, honest man - a man who would not be afraid of him, or afraid to speak his real sentiments.

And observed him - Margin, “kept him, or saved him.” This does not mean that he “observed” or obeyed his teachings, but that he kept him in safe custody in order to preserve him from the machinations of Herodias. He was willing to show his respect for John, and to secure him from danger, and even to do “many things” which might indicate respect for him - at least, to do so much as to guard him from his enemies.

And did many things - But he did not do the thing which was demanded of him - to break off from his sins. He attempted to make a compromise with his conscience. He still loved his sins, and did “other” things which he supposed might be accepted in the place of putting away, as he ought, the wife of his brother - the polluted and adulterous woman with whom he lived. Perhaps he treated John kindly, or spoke well of him, or aided him in his wants, and attempted in this way to silence his rebukes and destroy his faithfulness. This was probably before John was imprisoned. So sinners often treat ministers kindly, and do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, while they are still unwilling to do the thing which is demanded of them - to repent and believe the gospel. They expect that their kind attentions will be accepted in the place of what God demands - repentance and the forsaking of their sins.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Mark 6:15. OR, as one of the prophets. — η, or, is omitted by ABCEGHKLMS-BHV, and one hundred others, Syriac, all the Arabic, all the Persic, Coptic, AEthiopic, Gothic, Slavonic, Vulgate, two Itala, Origen, Victor, and Theophylact. Bengel, Wetstein, and Griesbach leave it out of the text: the omission of it mends the sense much.