Devine Scripture

Mark 6:15

What does Mark 6:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:15 means

Mark 6:15 records other speculations among the people: some thought Jesus was Elijah, others a prophet like one of the prophets. The variety of opinions shows the populace wrestling to place Jesus within familiar categories from Scripture. Elijah’s expected return (Malachi 4:5) and the expectation of prophets shaped popular hopes for God’s intervention. Though these identifications were earnest, they miss the fuller reality: Jesus is more than a resuscitated John or a typical prophet. The verse reveals both hope and misconception among the people confronting the extraordinary activity of Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse follows Herod’s private guess (verse 14) and broadens the picture to popular opinion. It captures the range of Jewish expectations—Elijah, a returning figure, or merely another prophet—set against the extraordinary works now being associated with Jesus. These misidentifications prepare the reader for the narrative detour explaining John’s fate and why Herod, implicated in John’s death, responds with such superstition and unease.

v.14And king Herod heardthereof; for his name had become known: and he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him.

v.15This passage

v.16But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 9:8

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

  • John 7:40

    Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.

  • John 6:14

    When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

  • John 1:25

    And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?

  • Acts 3:22

    Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.

  • Matthew 16:14

    And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

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