Elijah has Already Come - Matthew 17:12

Matthew the apostle wrote how Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured upon a mountain, and “as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “Elias is come already” where we read:

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

The verse reads, “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, ...”. Matthew began with the word, “but” or “nevertheless, moreover and” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto them” which means “to the disciples”, “That Elias” or “that Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah” “is come already” which means “has appeared now and by this time”, “and they knew him not” or “and people did not become acquainted with or accurately know and recognize Elijah”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that “Elijah” already arrived and people did not know who he was.

The verse continues, “... but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.” Matthew added the word, “but” or “nay, rather and moreover” “have done” which means “have carried out, executed and performed” “unto him” or “toward Elijah” “whatsoever” or “as much as” “they listed” which means “they intended, desired, wished and were fond of”. “Likewise” or “in the same manner and thus” “shall also” which means “will even and indeed” “the Son of man” which refers to “Jesus the Son of God” “suffer” or “be affected, experience and undergo” “of them” which refers to “by those who afflicted Elijah”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that people did whatever they wanted to “Elijah”, and He warned them those same people would do the same to Him.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus began to instruct the disciples concerning the prophesy of “the coming of Elijah”. Jesus declared that he already appeared, and people did not know who he was. Jesus also referred to the way people treated “Elijah”, and He prophesied they would mistreat Him in the same manner. Jesus knew His earthly fate, and He continued to walk in it even though it would be harmful to Him. God desires people to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and Jesus not only knew “Elijah” would be sent and pay a price, but He would pay as well to bring “salvation” to the world.

Next time Matthew shares how the disciples understood that Jesus, “spoke unto them of John the Baptist”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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