What does Matthew 17:10 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 17:10 references a conversation between Jesus' disciples and Jesus Himself. The disciples are inquiring about a teaching of the scribes (Jewish teachers of the law), which states that Elijah (Elias is the Greek form of Elijah) would come before the arrival of the Messiah.

This verse comes after Jesus had been transfigured on a high mountain before Peter, James, and John, where they witnessed Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah.

The literal meaning of the disciples' question is a request for clarification about the role of Elijah in God's plan of salvation.

The deeper meaning probes the relationship between prophecy fulfillment and the coming of the Messiah.

Elijah, one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, was expected to return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, to restore all things and prepare the way for the Messiah.

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, there was a strong Messianic expectation among the Jewish people, based largely on prophecies found in the Hebrew scriptures.

The idea that Elijah would return first stemmed from prophecies like Malachi 4:5-6, which state that God would send Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord.

The scribes interpreted this prophecy literally, expecting a return of the historical prophet Elijah.

The disciples' question in this verse indicates that they were trying to reconcile what they knew from the scribes with what they just witnessed.

Jesus' transfiguration and his conversation with Elijah might have confused them, especially if they were operating under the assumption that Elijah was supposed to come and restore all things before the Messiah began His ministry publicly.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations focus on whether Elijah's coming was meant to be in spirit and power or a literal return.

• Traditional Jewish interpretations maintain a future, literal coming of Elijah.
• Christian interpretations typically understand the role of Elijah as fulfilled in John the Baptist.

Jesus later confirms this in Matthew 17:12-13, explaining that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, who came in the "spirit and power" of Elijah, as foretold by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:17.

• Dispensationalists may believe that there will be a future fulfillment with Elijah's return before the second coming of Christ.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers to:

• Seek understanding when confronted with confusing or seemingly contradictory teachings.
• Recognize the fulfillment of prophecies in sometimes unexpected ways.
• Understand that God's timing and methods might differ from human expectations.
• Be open to spiritual interpretations of scriptural prophecies.

Cross-References

• Malachi 4:5-6 (KJV): "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD."
• Matthew 17:12-13 (KJV): Where Jesus explains that Elijah has come in the person of John the Baptist.
• Luke 1:17 (KJV): Describing John the Baptist's purpose and character.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key words include:

• Elias (Ἡλίας): The Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah.
• Scribes (γραμματεῖς): Teachers or interpreters of the Jewish Law.
• Must (δεῖ): A term indicating something that is necessary or required.

The use of the term "must" reflects a strong emphasis on the perceived necessity of Elijah's coming before the Messiah.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The expectation of a forerunner or a restorer before a major divine intervention can be observed in other cultures and religions as well.

Many religious traditions have concepts of a precursor who prepares the way for a greater figure, though these roles and the characters who fulfill them vary greatly.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings; it discusses a matter of prophecy and religious belief.

However, it does touch on broader questions about time, history, and expectation, which can be venues of dialogue between theological and scientific communities concerning the nature of reality and human understanding.

commentaries

Commentators have offered various perspectives on this verse:

• John Calvin noted that the disciples were confused by the appearance of Elijah during the transfiguration because they assumed Elijah would come beforehand to restore the kingdom to Israel.
• Matthew Henry's commentary highlights that the disciples' question shows their struggle to understand the true nature of the Messiah's kingdom, which was not of this world.
• The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the disciples questioned why the scribes did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah given that Elijah had appeared.
• Many modern scholars like those from the New International Commentary on the New Testament integrate historical-critical methods to assert that the New Testament writers understood John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the expectation of Elijah's coming.