38 Grk “And they said to him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
39 The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.

In other versions

And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

They answered him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

And they told him, saying, “John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and others that you are one of the prophets.”

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

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