What Old Testament prophecies connect with the message in Matthew 17:11? Matthew 17:11 in focus “Jesus replied, ‘Elijah indeed is coming and will restore all things.’” (Matthew 17:11) Prophecies of a coming Elijah • Malachi 4:5-6 — “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers…” • Malachi 3:1 — “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.” These passages promise both Elijah’s appearance and a preparatory ministry that softens hearts and averts judgment. Jesus links that promise directly to John the Baptist (Matthew 17:12-13; Luke 1:16-17). Prophecy of a way-preparing messenger • Isaiah 40:3-5 — “A voice of one calling: ‘Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness… and the glory of the LORD will be revealed…’” John’s ministry fulfills this voice-in-the-desert picture (Matthew 3:3). Promises that all things will be restored • Isaiah 1:26 — “I will restore your judges as at first…” • Jeremiah 31:33 — “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” • Ezekiel 36:26-27 — “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…” • Joel 2:25, 32; Amos 9:11; Zechariah 12:10 These texts point to a national and cosmic renewal that Messiah completes. How the threads tie together Malachi foresees Elijah returning to turn hearts; Isaiah pictures a herald straightening the road for the Lord; the prophets repeatedly promise a sweeping restoration of covenant life. Jesus knits these strands: John the Baptist comes “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) as the herald of Isaiah 40, initiating the heart-turning work Malachi anticipated. Yet Matthew 17:11 also looks ahead: Elijah “is coming” (future) and “will restore all things,” hinting at a still-future phase of fulfillment when Messiah returns and every promise of renewal blossoms (Acts 3:21 echoes this). Fulfillment already and not yet • Already: John the Baptist fulfilled the Elijah-forerunner role for Messiah’s first advent (Matthew 11:14). • Not yet: The full “restoration of all things” foretold by the prophets awaits the Lord’s return, when the covenant nation is renewed and creation itself is set free (Romans 8:19-21; Isaiah 35). Living in light of these prophecies Because God has begun what He promised, we can trust Him to finish it. The same Word that sent John ahead of Jesus guarantees the coming, complete restoration. Staying faithful, like Elijah and John, positions us to share in the joy of that day when “all flesh together will see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 40:5). |
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