King James Version

What Does Mark 9:12 Mean?

Mark 9:12 in the King James Version says “And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.”

Mark 9:12 · KJV

Context

10

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

11

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

12

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

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.

14

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus affirmed, 'Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things' (Ἠλίας μὲν ἐλθὼν πρῶτον ἀποκαθιστάνει πάντα). The verb apokathistanei (ἀποκαθιστάνει, 'restores') indicates comprehensive restoration—Elijah's forerunner ministry would prepare hearts for Messiah. John the Baptist fulfilled this role, calling Israel to repentance (Mark 1:4). Jesus then asks, 'how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought?' (πῶς γέγραπται ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἵνα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ ἐξουδενηθῇ;). This juxtaposes restoration with suffering—both are scripturally necessary. Isaiah 53 prophesies the suffering servant 'despised and rejected' (exoudenēthē, ἐξουδενηθῇ). Jesus teaches that Messiah's glory comes through suffering, not despite it. The 'must' (hina, ἵνα, expressing divine purpose) indicates suffering isn't accidental but central to redemptive plan. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ's passive and active obedience—suffering God's wrath (passive) and perfectly obeying (active) to accomplish salvation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish messianic expectation focused on conquering king (Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14), largely ignoring suffering servant passages (Isaiah 42; 49; 50; 53). The Dead Sea Scrolls and other Second Temple literature reveal messianic hopes centered on military victory over Rome. Jesus radically redefined expectations by emphasizing scriptural suffering. Isaiah 53 describes the servant 'despised and rejected,' bearing sin and being 'cut off' for transgressions. Psalm 22 graphically depicts crucifixion suffering. These texts were considered prophetic but not clearly messianic in first-century Judaism. Jesus' interpretive key—the Messiah must suffer—was revolutionary. Early Christian apologetics centered on showing that Scripture prophesied a suffering Messiah (Acts 17:2-3; 26:22-23), not theological innovation but proper Old Testament interpretation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' teaching that both restoration (Elijah) and suffering (Son of Man) are scripturally necessary challenge one-sided theologies emphasizing either triumph or suffering alone?
  2. What does the 'must' of suffering reveal about the essential nature of Christ's atoning work—not optional but divinely purposed?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ὁ1 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 24

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 24

“he answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 24

“and told”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς5 of 24

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἠλίας6 of 24

“Elias”

G2243

helias (i.e., elijah), an israelite

μὲν7 of 24

“verily”

G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

ἐλθὼν8 of 24

“cometh”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρῶτον9 of 24

“first”

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

ἀποκαθιστᾳ10 of 24

“and restoreth”

G600

to reconstitute (in health, home or organization)

πάντα·11 of 24

“all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ12 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πῶς13 of 24

“how”

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

γέγραπται14 of 24

“it is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ἐπὶ15 of 24

“of”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸν16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸν17 of 24

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ18 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου19 of 24

“of man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἵνα20 of 24

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

πολλὰ21 of 24

“many things”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

πάθῃ22 of 24

“he must suffer”

G3958

to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)

καὶ23 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξουδενώθη24 of 24

“be set at nought”

G1847

to make utterly nothing of, i.e., despise

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 9:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 9:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 53:1-12Isaiah 50:6Isaiah 52:14Isaiah 40:3-5Luke 1:16-17Isaiah 49:7

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