Elijah the Baptist

Elijah the Baptist Matthew 17:9-13

For context sake:

Matthew 17:1–8  “ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

Note: This section only appears here in Matthew and Mark, not in Luke or John. I think that this is another proof that this is not a text made in collusion or these stories would be forced to be the same.

Matthew 17:9–13  “ Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”

Lets break this down and examine what Jesus says.

Matthew 17:9–13

Mt 17:9  Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 

Jesus issues an order, He Commanded - entello - to order, a military word that implies the authority to demand. He demands they step in line.

Then He relates this is a vision. This doesn’t mean it didn't happen. Or it was only in their mind. They were allowed to see into another reality. The best we might describe it is into a spiritual realm. But it could also be so much more than this.

This is a reminder that there is an amazing reality we live in, and another all around us. A spiritual one, where beings we can barely imagine, who have lived for millennia, some serve the Lord, some, do everything they can to oppose Him, which includes killing you.

Mt 8:4. 12:16, essentially tell no one the confessions, the miracles that attributed . It wasn't time. His time was the cross. After the resurrection, no doubt may would be more likely to accept the incredible miracle/vision shown here. IF they should they tell folks now they might be murdered along with Him. But nothing tops resurrection.

Some refer to this as the Messianic Secret (or hardening/blinding)`. Where God was hiding who jesus was before they might not hear and believe. Plus many had already abandoned Yahweh and were worshipping their own idols as well. 1 Corinthians 2:6–8  “ However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Some deny this because they deny we are accountable to believe and receive the Gospel. That we can only be saved if we are forced to. One of the greatest gifts and curses of humanity (as some see it) is our Free Will and ability to place our faith in something. To trust via an act of that will.

If you wonder if you’re chosen, if you are elect, you’re hearing the gospel now. So come. Be part of the body of Christ that you might experience that fellowship with Him.

Mt 17:10  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 

Might seem like a weird questions but its a fair one. How can he, the messiah, be there if its not the day of the Lord and He is about to take over. They expected to see at any moment, Joel 2:31  “ The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

The scribes, teachers of the law & prophets thought this because of the text: Malachi 4:5–6  “ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.””

this is what they were expecting, waiting for - Daniel 12:1  “ “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.”

Now just a quick aside, notice what he says here in Daniel. Sons of Your people, your people, everyone in the book. Now does this exclude inherently those that are not part of the Jews? No. In other places in scripture we are told that everyone would be called. That all the nations would be invited in. All would be called Psalm 117:1–2  “ Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! 2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

Mt 17:11  Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 

Jesus, in one moment, confirms this prophecy about Elijah.

Mt 17:12  But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 

Now we see from v13 Jesus is referring to J to the B. If you remember, he was beheaded in Matthew 14:3–12 and Jesus again repeats that they will cause Him to suffer as well (not behading but suffering).

Acts 3:18  “ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” 1 Peter 1:10–11  “ Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” wild

Mt 17:13  Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Turn to John 1. Jesus has been accused of being elijah, but John truly lines up. He challenged the sin of royals, lived out in the wilderness, wore a “mantle” of fur, challenged royalty, called for repentance of sins, etc.

John 1:19–28  “ Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” (moses Deuteronomy 18:15) And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” Turn to Luke 1

He loved John and John certain came in the spirit of Elijah, which is not reincarnation, this is the Holy Spirit of prophecy. Even this quotation in Matt/Mark tells us that John was truly a prophet. The harbinger of the messiah. The angelic prophecy even said exactly that, Luke 1:11–17  “ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.””

In Closing, Jesus gives us this reminder that all this prophecy is confirming who He is. That the testimony of John the baptist is again, pointing to Jesus. Matthew 11:11–15  “ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Are you hearing this? That Jesus is the promised messiah, that He truly did come to die for your sins and rise again from the dead. And you, by believing He can save you, that trusting in Him, committing to Him as Lord, you are, can, and will be saved.

Come to Him now. Don’t wait. You don’t know how much time you have.