Discovery BoxLuke 9:8 
Context9:8 while others were saying that Elijah 1 had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen. 2
Luke 9:19
Context9:19 They 3 answered, 4 “John the Baptist; others say Elijah; 5 and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.” 6
1 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
2 sn The phrase had risen could be understood to mean “had been resurrected,” but this is only a possible option, not a necessary one, since the phrase could merely mean that a figure had appeared on the scene who mirrored an earlier historical figure. The three options of vv. 7-8 will be repeated in v. 19.
3 tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
4 tn Grk “And answering, they said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “They answered.”
5 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
6 sn The phrase has risen could be understood to mean “has been resurrected,” but this is only a possible option, not a necessary one, since the phrase could merely mean that a figure had appeared on the scene who mirrored an earlier historical figure. Note that the three categories in the reply match the ones in Luke 9:7-8.
