Apostles asked Jesus why scribes say Elijah must come first. Jesus asks why the scribes say the son of man must suffer. If they answered, none was recorded.
Mark 9:13 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.
Mark 9:13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Instead, I tell you also that Elijah has come and they did to him as much as they desired as it has been written about him.
What we do and want continues into the future.
This verse starts with "instead," a conjunction that Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this." Here, we don't see the negative, which was probably a response to his question about what they wrote about the son of man. Jesus is saying here that what happening to Elijah was also predicted to suffer. This is followed by the "I say to you" catchphrase without the "amen," but that the Greek version of "amen" began the last verse.
English translations mess up many of tenses here. The "coming" and "written" were completed in the past. The "wished" and "did" were started in the past but not completed despite John the Baptist, who Jesus identifies as Elijah'sin Matthew 11:14, having died earlier in Mark.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The "is" indicates the present tense but the tense is past perfect.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "listed" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The "is" indicates the present tense but the tense is past perfect.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word form usually translated as "of."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "everything."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The "is" indicates the present tense but the tense is past perfect.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word form usually translated as "of."
But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
I -- This comes from the first person form of the verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Jesus uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
unto -- This comes from the form of the following pronoun.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.
That -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
Elias -- "Elias" is the Greek form of the name of the prophet we call "Elijah." Jesus refers to Elijah in ten verses. And, he also appears with Jesus along with Moses. More about Christ's use of OT figures in this article.
is -- (WT) This seems to indicate that the following verb is the present tense, but it is the past perfect tense where the action has been completed. "Has" is more appropriate.
indeed -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "indeed " is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
come, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
they -- This comes from the plural form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
done -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
unto -- This is from the form of the following pronoun.
him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
whatsoever -- The word translated as "whatsoever" means "as great as", ""as much as," and similar ideas of comparison. The sense here is "as much as" since the word is plural.
they -- This comes from the plural form of the following verb.
listed, -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "listed" is expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose".
as -- "As" is the adverb that means "even as", "how", and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
it -- This is from the singular form of the following verb.
is -- (WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. This verb is in the past, perfect tense so "has" is correct.
written -- "Written" is the Greek verb that means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", and so on.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "unto" means "on", "over", "upon", "against", "before", "after", "during", "by" or "on." When used with "written," "about" seems to work best in English.
him. -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might tell" or "should tell."
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
Elijah -- "Elijah" is the Greek form of the name of the prophet we call "Elijah." Jesus refers to Elijah only here and in Mark as a forerunner or harbinger of the Jesus. However, he also appear with Christ along with Moses. More about Christ's use of OT figures in this article.
has -- -- This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
missing "and " -- (MW) The untranslated word "indeed " is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
come, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
they -- This comes from the plural form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
done -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
to -- This is from the form of the following pronoun.
him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
everything -- (CW) The word translated as "whatsoever" means "as great as", ""as much as," and similar ideas of comparison. It is not the word usually translated as "everything."
they -- This comes from the plural form of the following verb.
wished, -- The Greek word translated as "wished" is expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose".
just as -- "As" is the adverb that means "even as", "how", and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
it -- This is from the singular form of the following verb.
is -- (WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. This verb is in the past, perfect tense so "has" is correct.
written -- "Written" is the Greek verb that means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", and so on.
about -- (CW) The word translated as "unto" means "on", "over", "upon", "against", "before", "after", "during", "by" or "on." When used with "written," "about" seems to work best in English.
him. -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act/subj) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since," and "wherefore."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Indeed" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
Ἠλείας [10 verses](Hebrw name) "Elias" is from Elias, the Greek form of the biblical name for Elijah.
ἐλήλυθεν, [198 verses] ( verb 3rd sg perf ind act ) "is..come" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out", "to come", "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἐποίησαν [168 verses] ( verb 3rd pl aor ind act ) "They have done" is poieo, which means "to make", "to produce", "to create", "to bring into existence", "to bring about", "to cause", "to perform", "to render", "to consider", "to prepare", "to make ready," and "to do."
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Him" is the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord.
ὅσα [28 verses]( adj pl neut acc ) "Whatsoever" is hosos, which means "as many", "as much as", "as great as", "as far as," and "only so far as."
ἤθελον, [64 verses]( verb 3rd pl imperf ind act ) "They listed" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)", "to wish", "to ordain", "to decree", "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain", "to hold", "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly".
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "As" is kathos, which means "even as", "how", and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
γέγραπται [34 verses] ( verb 3rd sg perf ind mp ) "It is written" is grapho which means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", "to proscribe", "to ordain", "to write for oneself", "to enroll oneself", "to draw signs", "to describe a figure" "to brand," and "to indict."
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "of an end or purpose," "of the condition upon which a thing is done," "on condition that," and "of price." With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, judging, it means "in the case of.
αὐτὸν [124 verses](pron/(adj sg masc acc)) "Him" is autos, is the masculine, accusative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."