The Verse in Focus (Mark 9:13)
ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν, καθὼς γέγραπται ἐπ’ αὐτόν
ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν: A Prophetic Contrast
The phrase ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν (“but I say to you”) is a formula used frequently by Jesus to introduce authoritative teaching that corrects or deepens prior understanding.
– ἀλλὰ introduces a strong contrast.
– λέγω is present active indicative — “I am saying.”
– ὑμῖν is dative plural — “to you.”
This line prepares the hearers for a startling revelation, clarifying their misconceptions about the coming of Elijah.
καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε: Elijah Has Already Come
This statement directly addresses the expectation of Elijah’s return (Malachi 4:5).
– καὶ — “also” or “even.”
– Ἠλίας — proper name, “Elijah.”
– ἐλήλυθε — perfect active indicative of ἔρχομαι, meaning “has come.”
The perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing relevance. Elijah (i.e., John the Baptist, as interpreted in the context) has already come, and the implications of his coming still stand.
καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν: Rejection Fulfilled
This clause describes the treatment Elijah received — i.e., what was done to John the Baptist.
– ἐποίησαν — aorist active indicative of ποιέω, “they did.”
– αὐτῷ — dative singular masculine, “to him.”
– ὅσα — relative pronoun, “whatever things.”
– ἠθέλησαν — aorist active indicative of θέλω, “they desired” or “they willed.”
This clause conveys the idea of willful mistreatment. The aorists describe completed actions — what “they did” in full — fulfilling their desires against him.
καθὼς γέγραπται ἐπ’ αὐτόν: According to What Is Written
This final phrase anchors the event in scripture and prophecy.
– καθὼς — “just as,” introducing a standard or correspondence.
– γέγραπται — perfect passive indicative of γράφω, “it is written.” The perfect form expresses enduring authority of the written word.
– ἐπ’ αὐτόν — “concerning him.”
This formula points to prophetic texts that foreshadowed the suffering of Elijah’s representative — likely alluding to Isaiah’s Servant passages, or prophetic rejection in general.
The Prophecy They Didn’t See
In Mark 9:13, Jesus unveils the truth that prophecy has already been fulfilled, though unnoticed. Greek grammar intensifies this revelation: the perfect tense (ἐλήλυθε) affirms Elijah’s arrival as complete; the aorists (ἐποίησαν, ἠθέλησαν) recount tragic actions already committed; and the final perfect passive (γέγραπται) roots it all in divine scripture. This verse is more than a statement — it’s a sobering reminder that divine fulfillment can come quietly, even violently, and still be completely missed.
