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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 9:4 - 9:4
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4. ὤφθη. The word used of the appearances of Christ after the Resurrection (Luk 24:34; Act 9:17; Act 13:31; Act 26:16; 1Co 15:5-8). The three were thoroughly awake (Luk 9:32). The ὅραμα (Mat 17:9) was no dream.
Ἠλείας σὺν Μωυσεῖ. Mt. and Lk. have “Moses and Elijah,” which is the more natural order. But Elijah was expected to return (Mar 6:15, Mar 8:28), whereas Moses was an unexpected addition; hence Mk’s expression. The possible reappearance of Moses seems to have been a later idea of the Jews. In spite of Deu 34:5 and Jos 1:1-2, it was believed that he was taken up to heaven alive (Assumption of Moses). The power to recognize these representatives of the Law and the Prophets is analogous to that of St Paul recognizing Ananias in a vision (Act 9:12). The recognition was necessary for the purposes of the Transfiguration, and it might confirm them in the belief that Christ was not overturning the Law and the Prophets, for the representatives of both were in conference with Him. “The Law and the Prophets paid homage to the Gospel” (Loisy).