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Mark 9:13

ESV But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."
NIV But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
NASB But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.'
CSB But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did whatever they pleased to him, just as it is written about him."
NLT But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.'
KJV But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
NKJV But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

What does Mark 9:13 mean?

Peter, James, and John have just seen Jesus transfigured in a revelation of His glory. With Him are Elijah and Moses. Immediately after, Jesus reminds them that He will suffer, die, and rise again. While the trio try to figure out the timetable of Elijah's return (Malachi 4:5–6) with Jesus' prophecies of the hardships the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14) must experience, Jesus again drives home the fact that obeying God promises both splendor in heaven and great sacrifice on earth.

Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of Man who will be given authority over the world, will face betrayal and death. Elijah, glorified here, once ran for his life from Queen Jezebel, the evil wife of the weak King Ahab (1 Kings 19:1–2). John the Baptist, the symbol of Elijah's return (Matthew 17:13), whom Jesus declared the greatest man ever born (Matthew 11:11), was assassinated through manipulation by Herodias, the evil wife of the weak King Herod (Mark 6:14–29). Even though Elijah escaped death and was taken to heaven while still living (2 Kings 2:11), he still lived a perilous life. The short-sighted disciples follow Jesus in part to gain glory and honor for themselves (Mark 9:33–34; 10:35–37). They don't seem to hear Jesus' warnings to prepare for a cross before they go looking for a crown (Mark 8:34–38).

John's earthly sufferings do not take away from his honored place, and neither do Jesus'. In fact, their sufferings are necessary and they will be rewarded, as will all believers who face persecution (Romans 8:18).
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