Matthew 17:13 - Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 17:13" mean?
Matthew 17:13 clarifies that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist when he referred to the coming of Elijah. Let's break down the context and meaning:
The Context: This verse follows the Transfiguration, a significant event where Jesus was transformed and spoke with Moses and Elijah. Immediately after descending the mountain, the disciples ask Jesus about the scribal teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah.
The Prophecy: The scribes based their teaching on Malachi 4:5-6, which prophesies that Elijah will return to prepare the way for the Lord.
Jesus's Response: Jesus acknowledges that Elijah will come and restore all things. However, he then states that Elijah has already come, and they (the people) did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished (implying John the Baptist's mistreatment and death).
The Disciple's Understanding: Matthew 17:13 says, "Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer." This means:
Realization: The disciples finally grasped that Jesus was identifying John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy.
Not a Literal Reincarnation: Jesus wasn't saying John was literally the same person as Elijah who lived centuries earlier.
Fulfillment of Role: Instead, Jesus was saying that John fulfilled the role and spirit of Elijah. Just as Elijah called the people to repentance and prepared them for God's judgment and deliverance, John the Baptist called the people to repentance and prepared them for the coming of Jesus (the Messiah).
In Summary:
Matthew 17:13 is a crucial interpretive key. It highlights that prophetic fulfillment doesn't always mean a literal, one-to-one correspondence. It can mean a fulfillment of the role and spirit of a previous figure. John the Baptist embodied the spirit and mission of Elijah in preparing the way for the Messiah, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The disciples, upon hearing Jesus's explanation, finally understood this connection.
Matthew 17:13 - Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
What does "Matthew 17:13" mean?
Matthew 17:13 clarifies that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist when he referred to the coming of Elijah. Let's break down the context and meaning:
The Context: This verse follows the Transfiguration, a significant event where Jesus was transformed and spoke with Moses and Elijah. Immediately after descending the mountain, the disciples ask Jesus about the scribal teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah.
The Prophecy: The scribes based their teaching on Malachi 4:5-6, which prophesies that Elijah will return to prepare the way for the Lord.
Jesus's Response: Jesus acknowledges that Elijah will come and restore all things. However, he then states that Elijah has already come, and they (the people) did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished (implying John the Baptist's mistreatment and death).
The Disciple's Understanding: Matthew 17:13 says, "Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer." This means:
Realization: The disciples finally grasped that Jesus was identifying John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy.
Not a Literal Reincarnation: Jesus wasn't saying John was literally the same person as Elijah who lived centuries earlier.
Fulfillment of Role: Instead, Jesus was saying that John fulfilled the role and spirit of Elijah. Just as Elijah called the people to repentance and prepared them for God's judgment and deliverance, John the Baptist called the people to repentance and prepared them for the coming of Jesus (the Messiah).
In Summary:
Matthew 17:13 is a crucial interpretive key. It highlights that prophetic fulfillment doesn't always mean a literal, one-to-one correspondence. It can mean a fulfillment of the role and spirit of a previous figure. John the Baptist embodied the spirit and mission of Elijah in preparing the way for the Messiah, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The disciples, upon hearing Jesus's explanation, finally understood this connection.