The Turning Point
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.” Luke 9:19 · Berean Standard Bible
They replied that some thought He was John the Baptist, others said Elijah, and still others believed an ancient prophet had risen. Everyone was guessing, and no one was quite right.
The crowd had plenty of theories but none of them went far enough. They recognized Jesus as great, but they had not yet grasped just how great. The next question would separate spectators from true followers.
The disciples share the public's varied opinions.
The disciples rattled off the popular guesses: John the Baptist, Elijah, an old prophet. All impressive names. All falling short of the truth. Jesus was about to push them past the crowd's conclusions.
The disciples report the same three categories circulating in popular opinion: Iōannēn ton Baptistēn ('John the Baptist'), Ēlian ('Elijah'), or hoti prophētēs tis tōn archaiōn anestē ('that one of the ancient prophets has risen'). These mirror Herod's report in 9:7-8.
The repeated categories demonstrate that popular opinion, while recognizing Jesus as extraordinary, consistently falls short of His true identity. All three categories place Jesus within existing prophetic frameworks rather than recognizing the uniquely new reality of His messiahship.
The disciples relay the various popular opinions about Jesus' identity.
The disciples reported what they heard on the streets: some said John the Baptist, others said Elijah, and still others believed one of the ancient prophets had returned. Close, but all wrong.
17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
18One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”
20“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.
Read all of Luke 9 — Peter confesses, the Transfiguration blazes, and Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. Everything from here moves toward the cross.
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