Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.

Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them concerning John the Baptist.

Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist about whom He had spoken to them.

Then the disciples saw that he was talking to them of John the Baptist.

Then the disciples understood that it was of John the Baptist that he had spoken to them.

Then the disciples understood - When he spoke of the sufferings of this prophetic Elijah, and also of his own, which had been the subject of the conversation on the mount, during the transfiguration, they clearly apprehended that he spoke of John the Baptist.

Then the disciples understood,.... By his saying that Elias was come, and by the account he gave of his ill usage, it was clear to them,
that he spake unto them of John the Baptist; and that he was the Elias that was to come, and was come: so that this observation, that according to prophecy Elias was to come before the Messiah, was no objection to Jesus being the Messiah; but on the contrary, since he that was intended by Elias was come, and had done his work and office, it was a confirmation of the truth of his Messiahship.