ἐπηρώτων. Conversational imperf. which Mt., as often, changes to aor. Some would place Mark 9:11-13 after Mark 8:38, and they would fit that position; but there is no other evidence that they ever had it.

Ὅτι λέγουσιν. Here and in Mark 9:28 R.V. makes ὅτι recitative; but it is probably interrogative in both places, as perhaps in 1 Chronicles 17:6. In Mark 2:16 the reading is doubtful. The question seems to imply that the appearance of Elijah after the appearance of the Messiah had perplexed them. It reminded them of Malachi 4:5, which the Scribes interpreted to mean that Elijah would appear again before the Messiah came. Cf. Sir 48:10.

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Old Testament