And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Parallel translations
- WEB Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.
- BSB And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
- NKJV And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
- NASB And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.
- NLT Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elijah and Moses appear, talking with Jesus. The Law and the Prophets bear witness to him.
Overview
Moses represents the Law and Elijah the Prophets, and their presence shows that all of Scripture points to and finds fulfillment in Jesus. Luke adds that they spoke of his coming 'departure' (his death) in Jerusalem, linking this glory to the cross. Their appearance confirms that Jesus stands at the center of God's redemptive plan.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Luke 9:30–31And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
- Acts 3:21–24Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
- Matt 17:3–4And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
- John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
- Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
- Luke 24:27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
- Matt 11:13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
- Luke 9:19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
- 2 Kgs 2:11–12And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
- John 5:45–47Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
- 1 Pet 1:10–12Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
- Deut 34:5–6So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
- Rev 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.