Devine Scripture

Mark 9:12

What does Mark 9:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:12 means

Jesus affirms that Elijah indeed comes first "and restoreth all things," fulfilling prophecy. However, He immediately connects this truth with the necessity of the Son of Man's suffering and rejection. This juxtaposition highlights a tension for the disciples: the prophetic expectation of restoration through Elijah, alongside the equally foretold, yet difficult-to-accept, reality of the Messiah's suffering. Jesus emphasizes that both prophetic streams must be understood in His mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Truly, Elijah does come first, and puts all things in order; and how is it said in the Writings that the Son of man will go through much sorrow and be made as nothing?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he answering said to them, `Elijah indeed, having come first, doth restore all things; and how hath it been written concerning the Son of Man, that many things he may suffer, and be set at nought?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I say to you that Elias also is come (and they have done to him whatsoever they would), as it is written of him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he answering said to them, Elias indeed, having first come, restores all things; and how is it written of the Son of man that he must suffer much, and be set at nought:

Context

This verse is Jesus' initial response to the disciples' question about Elijah's coming. He acknowledges the truth of Elijah's prophetic role while swiftly steering the conversation to His own predicted suffering, a theme He has raised before. This transition prepares the disciples for the revelation of Elijah's fulfilled role in John the Baptist, further deepening their understanding of prophecy's unfolding.

v.11And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?

v.12This passage

v.13But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 11:2

    Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples

  • Matthew 3:1

    And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,

  • Matthew 26:24

    The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

  • Luke 1:76

    Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;

  • Malachi 4:6

    And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

  • Zechariah 13:7

    Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.

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