Browse Bible Study Resources

The Question of Elijah

Text: Mark 9:9-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36
13 July 2014

THE QUESTION OF ELIJAH

“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”            Mark 9:11

1. The scribes

a) These were the teachers of Israel
b) They wielded a lot of influence on theological thought

2. The teaching of the scribes concerning Elijah

a) Before the Messiah comes
b) Elijah will be His forerunner
c) This teaching is drawn from Malachi 4:5-6
i) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
ii) Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD
iii) And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
iv) And the hearts of the children to their fathers
v) Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse

3. The Interpretation of the scribes

a) They were wooden-literalistic in their interpretation
b) They expected Elijah to come personally
c) Since they did not see an Elijah
d) They did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah?
e) This teaching could have covertly affected the disciples
i) Unknowingly
ii) Subtly
iii) Creating some barriers to their belief in Jesus as the Messiah
iv) Some unbelief may have been in their hearts

JESUS’ INTERPRETATION OF WHO ELIJAH IS

1. The prophecy concerning Elijah

a) This prophecy is defended
b) Jesus acknowledged the truth of this prophecy

2. There was another prophecy that was as important            Mark 9:12-13

a) Prophecy concerning the Son of Man
b) That He must suffer many things
c) That He will be treated with contempt
d) Jesus knew that the scribes held Him in contempt
e) Together with other detractors they would plot against Him
f) This prophecy would also be fulfilled

3. Fulfilment of this prophecy

a) Elijah has come but the scribes did not know him            Matthew 17:12
b) He suffered at the hands of the wicked and was killed            Mark 6:14-29
c) Likewise the Son of Man would be killed            Matthew 17:12

4. Understanding of the disciples

a) They understood that John the Baptiser was Elijah in the spirit
b) If that is true and he was the forerunner, then Jesus was indeed the Messiah

POEMS BASED ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK – Volume 2 – Charles Tan

#4 THE RISING FROM THE DEAD

The human mind is capable of fathoming many complex things,
Great advances have been made in many scientific undertakings.
Yet the human mind is sometimes severely limited when it comes to the profound,
Man seems unable to exercise his mind and comprehend deep truths that abound.

The doctrine of the rising from the dead was a doctrine that puzzled the Disciples of Christ,
They were afraid to bring up this seemingly perplexing doctrine, and thus they remained unwise.
This doctrine was especially taught by Jesus to bring about great faith in the Lord,
The hope of resurrection was in the hearts of the Psalmists and prophets of God.

The Transfiguration should have confirmed for the Disciples the reality of this teaching,
But for some unknown reasons, they found this doctrine difficult and confusing.
They must have wondered just how the dead could rise up again,
They had limited God and His power- that was all too plain!

The rising from the dead is a great teaching that brings a great sense of hope,
We can find strength and courage that will help us, in painful times, to cope.
Death is defeated by God and this gives the heart every reason to rejoice,
The heart need never be afraid anymore if by faith it can hear God’s Voice.

Inspiration: Mark 9: 10