The Gospel of Matthew: Elijah Must Come and Has Come.

⁹ “And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” ¹⁰ And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” ¹¹ He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.” (Matthew 17:9–13 (ESV)

Jesus’ command to Peter, James and John was emphatic. He did not want them to tell anyone the vision they had seen until after His resurrection (Matt. 17:1-8). The reason for this directive was because Jesus did not want them to reveal His identity as Messiah to those solely desiring a political deliverer.

The disciples then asked a follow-up question. It is likely this reference to the disciples refers to Peter, James and John. They asked, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” They wanted to know how the prophesy, from Malachi 4:4-6, fit with Jesus’ claim to be the One, True Messiah. Did not the prophet state that Elijah would literally return prior to the coming of the Messiah?

Jesus explained that Elijah had returned in the person and work of John the Baptist. John was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. Therefore, the suffering Jesus predicted He would experience would be fulfilled (Matt. 16:21-23).

“Jesus pointed out that the real fulfilment of that prophecy had already taken place in the preaching, and the suffering, of John the Baptist. So the theme of necessary suffering, which they may have hoped had now been cancelled out by the vision of glory, is reasserted, for Jesus as well as for John,” explains Richard France in the New Bible Commentary.

“Since both John the Baptist and the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) did not fit common expectations, they were not recognized but rather rejected and ultimately killed,” states Dr. R.C. Sproul.

Matthew then inserts a commentary indicating the disciples understood Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist. They finally understood the meaning of Malachi’s prophecy and how is was fulfilled.

“The Jewish leaders had failed to recognize John the Baptist (though the disciples did, 17:13). John came in the spirit and power of Elijah—and the Jewish leaders had killed him. The Messiah was going to “suffer” similarly,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

We must always pursue a biblical understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our expectations of the Lord, what He has done, is doing and will do, must coincide with the Scriptures.

Soli deo Gloria!