John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremiah or One of the Prophets - Matthew 16:14

Matthew the apostle wrote, When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”, and in chapter sixteen and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how the disciples answered, “some say … John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” where we read:

And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist:

some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

The verse reads, “And they said, Some say that you art John the Baptist:”. Matthew began with the words, “and they said” which means “the disciples uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “some” or “a few people declare” “that you are” which means “that Jesus is” “John the Baptist” or “the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth who the forerunner of Christ and by order of Herod Antipas, he was cast into prison and afterward beheaded.”. Matthew shared how the disciples told Jesus that a few people were calling Him “John the Baptist”.

The verse goes on to say, “some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Matthew continued with the word, “some” which means “a few number of people declare”, “Elias” which means “Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah and was a prophet born at Thisbe and was the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah”, “and others” which refers to “a few other people said Jesus was”, “Jeremiah” or “the son of Hilkiah of the priests that were in Anathoth. He was called very young (B.C. 626) to the prophetic office and prophesied 42 years. His name means “whom Jehovah has appointed”, “or one of the prophets” which means “or a certain one who moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Matthew shared how the disciples told Jesus that people were saying that Jesus was “Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” from the Old Testament.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how people attempted to identify Jesus and label Him as one of the great prophets. “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah and others” of the Old Testament prophets were well thought of among the people, and they assumed that Jesus was taking one of their places. God sent these prophets to forecast the coming of His Son Jesus as the Messiah of God who would “save the world” from their sins. Whom people say Jesus is becomes relevant to their own eternal “salvation”, and if they are wise, they shall know Him as a personal loving “Savior and Lord” of their lives.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “whom say you that I am?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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