Was John the Baptist Elias?
Each passing day brings us closer to the impending return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Within the New Testament, Jesus himself promised, I will come again (John 14:3), affirming the prophecy in Revelation 22:20, where it is written, Surely I come quickly. Even the angels promised Jesus would return as per Acts 1:11 ...Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
While we live in a world increasingly beset by trials and tribulations, we continue to find solace and hope in this prophetic assurance of Christ's return. However, to fully understand the implications of His return, we must examine the prophesied arrival of Elias, a herald of significant biblical events and a forerunner of Jesus.
A crucial point of contention in understanding Elias's role is found in John 1:19-21. The priests and Levites from Jerusalem ask John the Baptist if he is Elias, to which he responds, I am not. Yet, in Matthew 17:12-13, Jesus asserts that John the Baptist is indeed Elias, a statement further supported by Matthew 11:11-14. This seemingly contradictory information begs the question:
Was John the Baptist truly Elias, and if he was not, why did Jesus say he was?
The answer lies in understanding the specific nature of Elias's prophesied role. Luke 4:16-21 provides insight into this matter. In this passage, Jesus proclaims that He has fulfilled the scripture in Isaiah 61:1-2, but He deliberately omits the phrases
...and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
The selective quoting of this scripture indicates that while some prophecies were fulfilled during Jesus's first coming, others such as the day of vengeance and the comforting of those who mourn, are reserved for His second coming.
Further evidence of a bifurcated role of Elias can be observed by comparing Malachi 4:5-6 and Luke 1:17. Malachi prophesies Elias's mission as turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. Yet, Luke 1:17, which clearly foretells John the Baptist's role, only covers the first part of Elias's prophesied mission, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.
This discrepancy suggests that John the Baptist fulfilled the initial phase of Elias's mission in anticipation of Christ's first coming, while the remaining mission will be accomplished before Christ's second advent. John's denial of being Elias can be rationalized in the light of these prophecies. He understood that the priests and Levites were actually seeking the Elias who would restore all things (Matthew 17:11) - a role tied to the second coming of the Messiah, not the first.
Reflecting on these insights, we can infer a parallel between the dual comings of Christ and the two manifestations of Elias. Just as Christ had a purpose for His first and second coming, Elias too, is destined to serve as a precursor to both divine events.
In closing our study, we recognize an ironic twist in the expectation of the Jewish people. As per Romans 11:25, Israel was blinded for the sake of the Gentiles, resulting in their anticipation of the Messiah's second coming, rather than His first. This assertion aligns with Malachi 1:11, prophesying that God would turn to the Gentiles for a given period of time, and that the Gentiles would honour God's name.
The Holy Scriptures illustrate a narrative of two versions of Elias, each tied to a specific coming of Christ. John the Baptist, embodying the spirit of Elias, heralded the first advent of Christ, while the complete restoration of all things awaits another, imminent manifestation of Elias. As we await the 'dreadful day,' the second coming of Christ, let us find hope in the promise that Elias, in spirit and power, will once again precede Him, paving the way for fulfillment of all prophecies and ultimate salvation.
Supporting Scripture:
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
John 1:19-21 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Matthew 17:12-13 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. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:11-14 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Luke 4:16-21 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.
Matthew 17:11-13 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 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. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.