In Matthew 11:14 it appears that Jesus is saying that John the Baptist is Elijah. I will show what Jesus meant by His statement concerning John and Elijah. But before I even begin to explain this passage, I do want to say that the conclusion is that John the Baptist was not literally Elijah, my explanation is based upon Scripture and insights from the Early Church Fathers. Jesus was speaking figuratively, not literally; both are forerunners to Christ Elijah is prophesied to come right before the 2nd coming of Christ in Malachi 4:5 in order to prepare the way for Him. St. Augustine points out that John the Baptists’ ministry to prepare the way for the Lord’s 1st coming prefigured Elijah’s ministry in the future. Here is what St. Augustine said… Because the Lord Jesus Christ wished in him to prefigure His own advent, and to say that John was in the spirit of Elias. And what John was to the first advent, that would Elias be to the Second Advent. As there are two advents of the Judge, so are there two heralds. The Judge indeed was the same, but the heralds two, but not two judges. It was needful that in the first instance the Judge should come to be judged. He sent before Him His first herald; He called him Elias, because Elias will be in the second advent what John was in the first. [Tractate on John 4.5] The blessed Theophylact agrees by saying, For both the Forerunner and Elijah have the same ministry. The one was the Forerunner of the first coming, while Elijah will be the forerunner of the second coming. Then, showing that it is an enigma that John is Elijah, and requires wisdom to understand it, He says: 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Thus urging them to ask and to learn. [Commentary on Matthew] In the Gospel of John 1:21, John the Baptist was being interrogated by the Jews, and they asked him if he was Elijah, and John said “no.” That may seem to have contradicted what Jesus said in Matt. 11:14; but in the same explanation above St. Augustine points out…. Rightly therefore, John spoke literally, while the Lord spoke figuratively. [Tractate on John 4.5] John the Baptist was in the spirit and power of Elijah, not body and soulPerhaps this is the most important distinction to make. To believe that John the Baptist was a reincarnated Elijah would not be sound Christian doctrine. But Tertullian gave an Old Testament example of what it means to be “in the spirit and power.” How, therefore could John be Elias? You have your answer in the angel's announcement: And he shall go before the people, says he, in the spirit and power of Elias (Luke 1:17)— not in his soul and his body. These substances are, in fact, the natural property of each individual; while the spirit and power are bestowed as external gifts by the grace of God and so may be transferred to another person according to the purpose and will of the Almighty, as was anciently the case with respect to the spirit of Moses. Numbers 12:2 [Treatise on the Soul 35] St. Jerome points out that it is bad doctrine to understand that they are the same person literally…. John then is said to be Elias, not according to the foolish philosophers, and certain heretics who bring forward their metempsychosis (reincarnation), or passing of the soul from one body to another; but because (as it is in another passage of the Gospel) he came in the spirit and power of Elias, and had the same grace and measure of the Holy Spirit. [Aquinas Catena] It is common to call people by names of those who share the same waysSt. John Chrysostom gave wonderful examples of how people were called by the names of those who shared the same methods and styles. He said… He calls John, Elias, with regard to the manner of his administration. Yea, and so the prophets used to call every one of their approved kings, David; and the Jews, rulers of Sodom, Isaiah 1:10 and sons of Ethiopians; Amos 9:7 because of their ways. For as the other shall be forerunner of the second advent, so was this of the first. [Homilies on Matthew 57] |
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