Why do the disciples question Jesus about Elijah's coming in Matthew 17:10? Setting the Scene • Matthew 17 opens with the Transfiguration. Peter, James, and John see Jesus in dazzling glory alongside Moses and Elijah (vv. 1-8). • As they come down the mountain, Jesus instructs them to keep silent until after His resurrection (v. 9). • Still processing all they have witnessed, the three recall a long-standing expectation from the prophets. That prompts their question in v. 10: “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”. The Prophetic Expectation • Malachi 4:5-6 promised: “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 the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers”. • First-century Jewish teachers (the “scribes”) took this literally: Elijah himself would appear before Messiah established His kingdom. • After seeing Elijah on the mountain, the disciples naturally wonder how that fits with Malachi’s timeline. If Jesus is already here, has the prophecy been fulfilled or is it still pending? Jesus’ Clarifying Answer “Jesus replied, ‘Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:11-13). Key points: • “Elijah does indeed come” — Jesus confirms the prophecy’s reliability. • “Elijah has already come” — John the Baptist fulfilled the role, arriving “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). • The nation failed to recognize John, just as many would reject Jesus (Matthew 11:14; Mark 9:11-13). Why the Question Makes Sense • Sequence confusion: The disciples see the Messiah revealed in glory yet recall Malachi placing Elijah first. • Partial fulfillment: John had already ministered, but they hadn’t connected him with Elijah’s mission. • Recent vision: Seeing Elijah on the mountain underscored the issue—was that the prophesied coming? • Rabbinic teaching: The scribes repeatedly emphasized Elijah’s role, so the disciples seek Jesus’ authoritative explanation. What We Learn Today • God’s Word stands firm — every prophecy will be fulfilled exactly as spoken, though sometimes in unexpected ways. • Jesus ties past, present, and future together. John’s ministry fulfilled Elijah’s role in preparing hearts; Elijah’s literal return may yet precede the final “great and awesome day.” • Understanding unfolds as we listen to Jesus; He clarifies Scripture where tradition leaves us puzzled. Matthew 17:10 records an honest question arising from prophecy, tradition, and firsthand experience. Jesus’ answer affirms both Malachi’s promise and John the Baptist’s fulfillment, while pointing forward to His own suffering and ultimate glory. |
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