How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight' […]. (NRSV 1:2-3)
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (KJV 1:2-3)
The citations here are from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Oops. Mark just names Isaiah (NRSV). The KJV's translation, "the prophets," follows a Greek manuscript that corrects the mistake. Still, in Mark's perspective, John and Jesus will fulfill this centuries-old prophecy. That means we are dealing with events that God planned long ago.
Quote #2
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (NRSV 8:31)
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (KJV 8:31)
Jesus is predicting events that will occur in Jerusalem. In this one word—"must"—lies Mark's concept of fate.
Quote #3
Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said to them, "Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him. (NRSV 9:11-13)
And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. (KJV 9:11-13)
Jesus has the task of untangling complex prophecies for his disciples. This time, they're talking about how John the Baptist wore clothes like Elijah's (1:6). According to Jesus, scripture predicted John's suffering at the hands of Herod (6:17-29). The implication? That immoral governors had inadvertently acted just as God had planned.