Mark 6:13 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And anointed with oil many that were sick,— This probably was in conformity with the custom of the Jews, who made use of the imposition of hands, and the ceremony of anointing the sick with oil, when they offered up their prayers to heaven in their behalf. See James 5:14 and Grotius. Mark 6:15. Others said, That it is Elias,] There is little difficulty in accounting for the opinion of those, who, upon Christ's appearing in this part ofthe country, began to take notice of his miracles; and, being struck with them, imagined that he was Elijah, or one of the prophets; for as they expected that Elijah would actually descend from heaven, and usher in the Messiah, (Matthew 16:14.) and that one of the prophets was to be raised from the dead for the same end, they might fancy Elijah was come, or that one of the old prophets appeared anew upon earth. See the notes on Matthew 14.