Matthew 17:12 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 17:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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.”

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will suffer at their hands. The identification of the already-come Elijah as John the Baptist (confirmed in verse 13) is paired with the passion prediction: the Elijah who came was rejected and treated as they pleased (imprisoned and beheaded), and the same rejection awaits the Son of Man. The forerunner's fate anticipates the one whose way he prepared.

Church Fathers on Matthew 17:12

It was a tradition of the Pharisees following the Prophet Malachi, that Elias should come before the coming of the Saviour, and bring back the heart of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, and restore all things to their ancient state. The disciples then consider that this transformation which they had seen in the mount was His coming in glory, and therefore it is said, 'And his disciples asked him, saying, How then say the Scribes that Elias must…
Jerome · 4th century

The disciples knew not of the coming of Elias out of the Scriptures; but the Scribes made it known to them; and this report was current among the ignorant multitude, as was that concerning Christ. Yet the Scribes did not explain the coming of Christ and of Elias, as they ought to have done. For the Scriptures speak of two comings of Christ; that which has taken place, and that which is yet to be. But the Scribes, blinding the people, spake to them only of His second coming,…
Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom., lvii

Or; 'He shall restore all things,' that is those whom the persecution of Antichrist shall have overthrown; as He Himself should restore by His death those whore He ought.
Augustine · 4th century · Quaest Ev., i, 21

Read all 10 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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