Book of Mark - Chapter 9 - Verse 12

In this verse, Jesus is responding to his disciples who had asked him why the scribes said that Elias must first come before the Son of man. Jesus explains that indeed, Elias must come first and restore all things, as it is written in the scriptures. He then goes on to speak of the prophecy regarding the Son of man, that he must suffer many things and be disregarded by others. This verse highlights the divine plan at work in the coming of Elias to prepare the way for the Son of man, who will ultimately suffer for the sake of humanity. It serves as a reminder of the foretold events and the importance of understanding and accepting the suffering that must come before the ultimate salvation.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the coming of Elijah and the suffering he, as the Son of Man, must endure. The mention of Elijah's coming first is a reference to the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, where Elijah was said to return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This passage signifies the restoration and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The phrase "restoreth all things" could be interpreted as Elijah's role in preparing the hearts of the people for Jesus' ministry. The second part of the verse about the Son of Man suffering many things refers to Jesus' impending crucifixion and rejection by the religious leaders of his time. This suffering was necessary for the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. The contrast between Elijah's restoration and Jesus' suffering highlights the divine purpose and sacrifice that Jesus was willing to undergo for the redemption of humanity.