And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Many at the time regarded Jesus as a prophet — some saying John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others one of the prophets — but they did not recognize Him as the Messiah. The disciples who gave this answer still held glowing expectations of the Messiah's kingdom and of seeing their Lord exalted to the throne of David. They loved their Master, yet sadness oppressed their hearts and doubt harassed their minds, for it seemed incomprehensible that the Son of God should live as a humble homeless wanderer and be despised, rejected, and put to death. With their eyes fixed on the nearer earthly view of poverty, humiliation, and suffering, they did not comprehend His pointing beyond the present humiliation to His coming in glory with the glory of God and the hosts of heaven. They questioned why He should voluntarily go to Jerusalem to meet cruel humiliation and death and leave them in greater darkness than before He had revealed Himself to them.
Many at the time regarded Jesus as a prophet — some saying John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others one of the prophets — but they did not recognize Him as the Messiah. The disciples who gave this answer still held glowing expectations of the Messiah's kingdom and of seeing their Lord exalted to the throne of David. They loved their Master, yet sadness oppressed their hearts and doubt harassed their minds, for it seemed incomprehensible that the Son of God should live as a humble homeless wanderer and be despised, rejected, and put to death. With their eyes fixed on the nearer earthly view of poverty, humiliation, and suffering, they did not comprehend His pointing beyond the present humiliation to His coming in glory with the glory of God and the hosts of heaven. They questioned why He should voluntarily go to Jerusalem to meet cruel humiliation and death and leave them in greater darkness than before He had revealed Himself to them.