Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:11 The disciples wanted to understand the prediction that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (see Mal 4:5-6). How did this prediction fit with Jesus’ proclamation of God’s Kingdom and his prediction of his own death, resurrection, and return (Mark 8:31, 38; 9:9)?
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:11 The disciples wanted to understand the prediction that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (see Mal 4:5-6). How did this prediction fit with Jesus’ proclamation of God’s Kingdom and his prediction of his own death, resurrection, and return (Mark 8:31, 38; 9:9)?
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
And they were questioning him, saying, that the scribes say that Elijah it behoveth to come first.
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
και επηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες οτι λεγουσιν οι γραμματεις οτι ηλιαν δει ελθειν πρωτον
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And they put a question to him, saying, Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?