They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. Some say, and so forth Herod thought that Christ was the Baptist, on account of his prodigies. S. Matthew 14:2. Others that he was Elias: 1st. because they expected he was about to return to them, according to the prophecy of Malachias; behold I will send you Elias; 2d. on account of the greatness of his miracles; 3d. on account of his invincible zeal and courage in the cause of truth and justice. Others again said he was Jeremias, either on account of his great sanctity, for he was sanctified in his mother’s womb; or, on account of his great charity and love for his brethren, as it was written of Jeremias: he is a lover of his brethren. Or, again, one of the prophets, that is Isaias, or some other noted for eloquence; for it was the opinion of many of the Jews, as we read in Saint Luke, that one of the ancient prophets had arisen again. Dion. Carth.