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Explanation for:
Matthew
17
:
12
But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The very one who will appear during the Saviour's return has already arrived in the spirit and power of John. However, he was not acknowledged by them; instead, they treated him with disdain and ultimately decapitated him."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Although neither the teachers of the Law nor their writings alluded to this, the apostles, having become more insightful and attentive, soon recognized the truth. How did the disciples come to this understanding? They had previously heard, “He is Elijah, who must come” (Matthew 11:14), yet it is affirmed here that Elijah has already arrived; and again it is stated, “Elijah must come first and restore all things.” Do not be puzzled or consider it a contradiction when one verse mentions “must come” while another asserts “has come.” Both statements are accurate. When Christ states, “Elijah must come first and restore all things,” He refers to Elijah himself and the prospective conversion of the Jews; and when He declares, “He is Elijah, who must come,” He designates John as Elijah in accordance with His mission. Similarly, the prophets called every righteous king David, and the Jews regarded the rulers of Sodom and the descendants of Cush in the light of their conduct. Just as Elijah will precede the second coming, John was the herald of the first. Christ refers to him as Elijah not only for this reason but also to demonstrate His perfect alignment with the prophecies of the Old Testament, indicating that this coming was prophesied. Therefore, He adds, “came, and they did not recognize him, but did unto him as they pleased.” What is encompassed by “as they pleased”? Imprisonment, scorn, execution, and presenting his head on a platter. “So shall the Son of Man suffer from them.” Do you see how appropriately He again reminds them of suffering? He has already provided comfort through John's afflictions; and in addition, He soon begins to perform wondrous signs. Whenever He speaks of suffering, miracles follow, as is evident before and after His declarations, consistently throughout. Then He starts to disclose that \\"He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things...and be killed\\" (Matthew 16:21). When does this occur? When they acknowledge Him as the Christ and the Son of God. Yet on the mountain, He further recalls His suffering, presenting them with a glorious vision and when the prophets spoke of His majesty. After recounting John's narrative, He adds, “So also the Son of Man shall suffer from them” and shortly after, upon casting out a demon the disciples could not expel, “While they were in Galilee,” the Evangelist reports, “Jesus said unto them, The Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him, and on the third day He shall rise again” (Matthew 17:22-23). He does this to soften the weight of their sorrow through His miraculous power and to offer them reassurance. In this instance, when He brings to their minds John's demise, He comforts them immensely. But if someone queries, “Why did He not send Elijah now, when so many signs attest to His coming?” we reply, Because even now those who identify Christ as Elijah have not placed their faith in Him; and it is clearly stated, “Some say you are Elijah, others Jeremiah” (Matthew 16:14). However, there is no distinction between John and Elijah other than that of time. How, you may wonder, will they believe? He will not establish all things solely through His glorious name, but also because the glory of Christ will soon spread widely and shine more brightly than the sun. Thus, when Elijah arrives after his high regard and expectations are established, and he preaches Jesus, his message will be welcomed. When Christ says, “they did not recognize him,” He appears to excuse His adversaries while comforting His followers. Moreover, He reassures them by reference to His innocent suffering, wrapping their grief in two signs: one that occurred on the mountain, and the other still to come. Upon hearing this, they did not inquire when Elijah would appear, either from sorrow or fear. It frequently occurred that once they sensed He was reluctant to speak plainly on a matter, they ceased their inquiries. When, during their time in Galilee, He stated, “The Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him,” they were, as the Evangelist adds, “greatly grieved,” which the two Evangelists elucidate: Mark - \\"they did not understand these words, but were afraid to ask Him\\" (Mark 9:32); Luke - “it was hidden from them, so that they did not comprehend it, but were afraid to ask Him about this saying” (Luke 9:45)."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"I assure you that Elijah, the second, also known as the Baptist, had already arrived before my initial coming, as indicated in the Scriptures. The scribes failed to realize he was indeed Elijah, acting as the herald, since they did not acknowledge him, their understanding of the Scriptures being lacking. Yet they acted as they chose regarding him; particularly Herod's associates, who inflicted many sufferings upon him: they imprisoned him, executed him by beheading, and presented his head on a dish. In a similar way, the Son of Man must endure these trials because they, too, failed to recognize that He was the Christ—not out of ignorance, but from their own malice. If at this moment the Jews refuse to put their faith in Christ, how then will they accept Elijah? They will indeed recognize him and understand that Malachi prophesied his coming; furthermore, such a significant gap of time and the powerful preaching will likely soften their hardened hearts."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In stating that 'Elijah has already come,' he refers to John the Baptist. They acted according to their desires and took his life, as they permitted Herod to execute him, despite having the chance to intervene. As the disciples contemplated this further, they understood that the Lord designated John as Elijah because he was the precursor to Christ's first coming, just as Elijah will serve as the herald for His second coming."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord spoke regarding John the Baptist, saying 'Elijah had already come, and they did not recognize him.’ Why was this the case? It stemmed from their lack of attention to the ways of God and a disinterest in spiritual matters; they were consumed by other thoughts, preferences, and perspectives. In the realm of the Divine, they possessed cleverness, yet were oblivious to its truths due to their estrangement from it. The inner disposition influences one’s perception, allowing for immediate recognition of the familiar, no matter how concealed it may be. An artist, scientist, and economist may examine the same object with equal focus, but each arrives at their own conclusion—one may assess its beauty, another its causal relationships, and another its utility. Similarly, the Jewish people formed their judgments about John and, later, about the Savior, shaped by their inclinations. Lacking the divine perspective, they were unable to grasp the significance of those who were executing God's will. Consequently, they failed to comprehend both the Forerunner and the Lord, treating them according to their own desires. A covert persecution of Christianity has emerged and is beginning to manifest openly, as witnessed recently in Paris. What has occurred there on a small scale may foreshadow larger events in the future. Save us, Lord!"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Concerning My first arrival, I declare to you that Elijah, the New Testament Elijah, has indeed appeared. He arrived not from Thessalonica but as My Forerunner, proclaiming repentance with spiritual fervor and divine authority. He fulfilled his purpose, yet they failed to acknowledge him; they did not see him as My Forerunner and acted according to their own desires. Consequently, the Son of Man will endure suffering at their hands. They will remain unaware of his true identity and will treat him according to their own wicked intentions."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"But they did not recognize him.\\" While many among the people accepted John as a herald who, through baptism, prepared the Jewish nation for the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth and were baptized by him (cf. Matt. 3:5, 6), the Jewish community largely failed to grasp the true essence of his ministry and the profound significance of his role. Consequently, they acted against him as they wished: they imprisoned him, quarreled with him, executed him, and ultimately presented his head on a platter. \\"By permitting Herod to end his life, when they had the power to intervene, they became complicit in his murder\\" (Theophilus). \\"In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.\\" The disciples understood that He was referencing the Baptist. St. Chrysostom comments on the inquiry of the disciples and the Lord's response (Matt. 17:10-12), noting a prevalent expectation regarding the arrival of Christ and Elijah; however, the scribes misinterpreted this idea. Scripture alludes to two advents of Christ, one that has taken place and another that is yet to come. The apostle, while revealing these truths, stated: \\"the grace of God has appeared,\\" etc. (Titus 2:11-13). The prophets also refer to both; they declare that Elijah will precede the second coming, while John serves as the precursor of the first. Jesus refers to John as Elijah, not because he was Elijah himself, but because he accomplished the duties of that office. Just as Elijah will herald Christ’s second coming, John was the herald of His first. However, the scribes, blending the two figures and misleading the people, focused solely on the expectation of the second coming, asserting that if this individual were the Messiah, then Elijah must arrive first. What was Christ’s response? Elijah will undoubtedly come before My second advent, but Elijah has already come, and if you inquire about the other one, he will appear... so that he may lead the Jews to faith in Jesus Christ and ensure that none are completely lost when he arrives. Therefore, in reminding them of these truths, He declared: \\"and He will set all things right,\\" meaning He will rectify the disbelief of the Jews of that era (cf. Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus provided the same response to this inquiry as He had previously regarding the delegation from John (refer to Matthew 11:14). The prophecy of Malachi foretold that Elijah would come before the Second Coming of Christ to carry out the ultimate judgment of humanity. John was designated to prepare the path for the Lord’s First Coming, appearing in the spirit and power of Elijah, as declared by the Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:17)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A profound question occupied their thoughts. Having witnessed Elijah, they were now even more certain that their Lord was indeed the Messiah. \\"But how is it,\\" they inquired, \\"that the teachers of the law assert that Elijah must first come to prepare everything?\\" In response, the Savior revealed to them that Elijah had already come, though they had failed to recognize him, and that he had suffered a fate similar to what awaited Him at the hands of His own people. It then dawned on them that He was referring to John the Baptist."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon receiving the Lord's instruction to refrain from sharing their experience until after His resurrection, the apostles adhered to this directive, yet they questioned amongst themselves, “What does it mean to rise from the dead?” They interpreted the resurrection as the glorious commencement of the Messiah's Kingdom and thus inquired of the Lord, “Why do the scribes assert that Elijah must come first?” Jesus, addressing their misconceptions and preparing them not for the splendor of His Kingdom but for the humility required in His earthly mission, responded, “Elijah will certainly come first and will restore all things. As it is written concerning the Son of Man, He must suffer many things and be deeply humbled.” I tell you, “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did unto him whatever they desired; in the same manner, the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” The disciples came to understand that He was referencing John the Baptist. Following the Lord’s command, the holy Apostles remained quiet and did not disclose what they had witnessed during that time. However, when the period of mandated silence regarding this wondrous event concluded, Peter later cited the transfiguration as the most compelling evidence of the Savior's divine power and glory (2 Pet. 1:16-18)."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In his account of the transfiguration, Luke merely notes that the disciples refrained from sharing what they had experienced, failing to mention that this reticence stemmed from a specific directive from Christ. He also omits any reference to Christ’s discussion with the disciples regarding Elijah's appearance preceding the Messiah’s arrival. In his Gospel, Mark recounts that when Jesus instructed the disciples not to disclose the vision until after the Son of Man had been resurrected, they were confused and questioned among themselves what it meant for the Son of Man to rise from the dead, particularly in light of their belief that the Messiah should not experience death. Yet they did not inquire of Jesus about this matter, instead asking, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” It is essential to follow the progression of the apostles' thoughts regarding their vision and Christ's predictions of His resurrection. Ultimately, they sought clarification on two key questions: what it signifies for the Son of Man to rise from the dead and why the scribes assert that Elijah must precede the Messiah. Jesus, in fact, provides answers to both inquiries. His response in Matthew is particularly clear, as it includes the insight that \\"then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.\\" Therefore, the statement in verse 11 should be interpreted not as a future prophecy but as a doctrinal assertion devoid of a time reference. In Mark’s account, the structure is somewhat complex, yet it is important to recognize that Jesus aims to address both questions, presenting each answer distinctly. First, He affirms that Elijah indeed must come before the Messiah and restore all things, as stated in Malachi 4:5-6. Subsequently, He tackles the unvoiced question about the meaning of the Son of Man's resurrection. Some interpretations suggest adding a question mark to denote inquiry about the purpose of His coming. The response indicates that He will endure great suffering and humiliation. Jesus then revisits the initial question, asserting that Malachi's prophecy regarding Elijah has already been realized, noting that this Elijah also suffered the same fate He was destined to face. References to Elijah's trials can likely be found in the historical accounts detailing the persecution he faced from King Ahab."}]}
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