Luke 9:8

And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:1-9 Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Lu 23:11.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 14:1-2. Compare Mark 6:14-16.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Lu 9:7-9. Herod Troubled at What He Hears of Christ Desires to See Him.

(See on [1607]Mr 6:14-30).

7. perplexed—at a loss, embarrassed.

said of some, that John was risen—Among many opinions, this was the one which Herod himself adopted, for the reason, no doubt, mentioned on Mr 6:14.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 9:7"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And of some, that Elias had appeared,.... Who had been translated, body and soul, to heaven, and whom the Jews expected a little before the coming of the Messiah:

and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again; that is, one of the former prophets. It is well known, that the Jews distinguish the prophets into the former and latter; the books of the prophets of the Old Testament are so distinguished; the writings of the former prophets are those of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 of Samuel, and the first and second of Kings: the latter prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, which are the greater prophets, and the twelve lesser ones: and in the Talmud (q) it is asked,

"who are , "the former prophets?" Says R. Huna, they are David, Samuel, and Solomon--and why are they called former prophets? to except (or distinguish) them from Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi, who are the latter.''

So that by one of the old prophets, may be meant one of those that were before the times of Elias, as Samuel or David.

(q) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 48. 2.

Geneva Study Bible

And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 9:8. ἐφάνη, appeared, the proper word to use of one who had not died, but been translated.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. that Elias had appeared] In accordance with the prophecy of Malachi 4:5. The verb “appeared” is used instead of ‘risen again,’ because of Elijah’s translation to heaven. The Talmud is full of the expected appearance of Elijah, and of instances in which he shewed himself to eminent Rabbis.

one of the old prophets] Comp. Luke 7:16; Deuteronomy 18:15; Numbers 24:17. The Jews thought that Jeremiah or one of the other great prophets (see Luke 9:19) might rise to herald the Messiah, John 1:21. See 2Es 2:10; 2Es 2:18, “Tell my people...For thy help will I send my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah;” 1Ma 14:41, “Simon should be high priest...until there arose a faithful prophet.” In 2Ma 2:4-8; 2Ma 15:13-16, Jeremiah appears in a vision. It was believed that he would reveal the hiding-place of the Ark, Urim, and Sacred Fire.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 9:8. Ἐφάνη, appeared) This is put midway between ἠγέρθη, was raised up, and ἀνέστη, had risen again. For Elias had not died.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - One of the old prophets. Jeremiah and also Isaiah, though to a lesser degree than Elijah, were looked for as heralds of the coming Messiah (see 2 Esdr. 2:10, 18, and 2 Macc. 2:4-8 2Macc. 15:13-16). It was expected that Jeremiah would reveal the hiding-place of the long-lost ark and of the Urim. Luke 9:8