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Mk 9:11b ... "Why say the scribes that, 'Elias must come first' "

The second and third phrases have these 9 dialog words ... Hoti legousin hoi grammateis hoti Elian dei elein prōton ("Why say the scribes that ... 'Elias must come first'").

The 9 words are bottom up. The first 5 words "Hoti legousin hoi grammateis hoti" (Why say the scribes that) are tangent to the three disciples and the two scribes. The word "that" is a conjunction to the next four words said by the scribes. The last four words "Elian dei elein prōton" (Elias must come first) are tangent to the two scribes and to the equilateral triangles holding Elias and Jesus. This third phrase said by the scribes alludes to the Malachi prophecy (Mal 1:1-24) that says Elias would reappear on earth before the Messiah (Jesus). Elias of course was John the Baptist, the first character that "came" in Mark (Mk 1:2) announcing the coming ministry of Jesus. This diagram shows Elias coming on earth (the green triangle) before Jesus.

9:11a < verse > 9:12a