Matthew 17:10 - His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
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What does "Matthew 17:10" mean?
This verse (Matthew 17:10) stems from the Jewish expectation, based on prophecies in the Old Testament, that the prophet Elijah would return to prepare the way for the Messiah. Let's break it down:
"His disciples asked him...": This indicates the disciples, the close followers of Jesus, are posing a question to him.
"...saying, 'Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'":
"the scribes": These were Jewish scholars and interpreters of the Law (Torah). They were considered authorities on religious matters.
"Elijah must come first": This refers to the common Jewish belief rooted in Malachi 4:5-6, which states: "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."
The scribes, based on this prophecy, believed that Elijah's return was a necessary precursor to the Messiah's arrival. They understood Elijah's role as one of restoration, reconciliation, and preparation.
The disciples are questioning this belief because Jesus is already present and performing miracles. If Jesus is the Messiah, why hasn't Elijah come yet to fulfill the prophecy? This is the core of their confusion.
In essence, the disciples are wrestling with a perceived contradiction between the traditional understanding of prophecy and the reality they are witnessing in Jesus. They are asking how Jesus, whom they believe to be the Messiah, can be present if Elijah hasn't yet fulfilled his prophetic role.
It's a question about the timing and fulfillment of prophecy, and it reveals the disciples' attempts to reconcile their traditional Jewish beliefs with their growing conviction that Jesus is the Messiah. The following verses (Matthew 17:11-13) contain Jesus' explanation, where he suggests that Elijah has already come in the form of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:10 - His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
What does "Matthew 17:10" mean?
This verse (Matthew 17:10) stems from the Jewish expectation, based on prophecies in the Old Testament, that the prophet Elijah would return to prepare the way for the Messiah. Let's break it down:
"His disciples asked him...": This indicates the disciples, the close followers of Jesus, are posing a question to him.
"...saying, 'Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'":
"the scribes": These were Jewish scholars and interpreters of the Law (Torah). They were considered authorities on religious matters.
"Elijah must come first": This refers to the common Jewish belief rooted in Malachi 4:5-6, which states: "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."
The scribes, based on this prophecy, believed that Elijah's return was a necessary precursor to the Messiah's arrival. They understood Elijah's role as one of restoration, reconciliation, and preparation.
The disciples are questioning this belief because Jesus is already present and performing miracles. If Jesus is the Messiah, why hasn't Elijah come yet to fulfill the prophecy? This is the core of their confusion.
In essence, the disciples are wrestling with a perceived contradiction between the traditional understanding of prophecy and the reality they are witnessing in Jesus. They are asking how Jesus, whom they believe to be the Messiah, can be present if Elijah hasn't yet fulfilled his prophetic role.
It's a question about the timing and fulfillment of prophecy, and it reveals the disciples' attempts to reconcile their traditional Jewish beliefs with their growing conviction that Jesus is the Messiah. The following verses (Matthew 17:11-13) contain Jesus' explanation, where he suggests that Elijah has already come in the form of John the Baptist.