What Old Testament prophecies connect to the identities mentioned in Luke 9:19? Luke 9:19 at a Glance “They answered, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.’” Why These Specific Names? The crowd drew on three strands of Old Testament expectation: • a promised forerunner (John the Baptist) • a promised return of Elijah • a promised prophet like the great figures of old John the Baptist – the Foretold Forerunner • Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.” • Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.’” Why it mattered: John had just been executed (Luke 9:7–9). Some thought the prophecies might be fulfilled a second time through a resurrected John, so they linked Jesus with the forerunner himself. Elijah – the Prophet Who Never Died • 2 Kings 2:11 – Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, so the nation expected his bodily return. • Malachi 4:5–6 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.” Why it mattered: Malachi’s promise fed a lively hope that Elijah would reappear to usher in the Messianic age. Seeing Jesus’ miracles (Luke 7:14–16; 8:54–55) made many wonder if that promise had come true. “A Prophet of Old” – the Prophet Like Moses • Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him… I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.” • Numbers 12:6–8 – God speaks with Moses “face to face,” setting the pattern for an ultimate prophet. Why it mattered: Moses’ prediction created an expectation of a towering prophetic figure. Some expected this prophet to be one of the revered men of old—perhaps Moses, Jeremiah (cf. Matthew 16:14), or another patriarch—risen from the dead (compare Daniel 12:2). Summary Connections • John the Baptist: Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3 • Elijah: 2 Kings 2:11; Malachi 4:5–6 • Prophet of Old: Deuteronomy 18:15–18; Numbers 12:6–8 The crowds in Luke 9:19 filtered Jesus’ ministry through these clear Old Testament prophecies, searching Scripture-shaped categories for the One performing signs in their midst. |
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