Matthew 11:14

And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.

And {G2532} if {G1487} ye will {G2309} receive {G1209} it, this {G846} is {G2076} Elias {G2243}, which {G3588} was for {G3195} to come {G2064}.

Indeed, if you are willing to accept it, he is Eliyahu, whose coming was predicted.

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 11:14 (KJV)

In Matthew 11:14, Jesus makes a profound statement connecting John the Baptist to the long-awaited prophet Elias (Elijah). This verse is pivotal for understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament.

Context

This declaration by Jesus comes immediately after He has praised John the Baptist, affirming his unique role as "more than a prophet" (Matthew 11:9). John's disciples had just visited Jesus, asking if He was "he that should come," and Jesus responded by pointing to His miraculous works (Matthew 11:3-5). Following their departure, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, culminating in this striking identification. The Jewish people eagerly anticipated the return of Elijah before the advent of the Messiah, based on the prophecy found in Malachi 4:5-6, which states, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD."

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The primary theme is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus explicitly identifies John the Baptist as the "Elias, which was for to come," meaning John arrived in the "spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17) to prepare the way for the Messiah.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The phrase "And if ye will receive [it]" highlights the need for spiritual understanding and willingness to accept this truth. Not everyone would grasp that John, in his humble appearance, was the fulfillment of such a significant prophecy. It required more than superficial observation.
  • John the Baptist's Unique Role: This verse underscores John's unparalleled position as the direct forerunner to Jesus Christ, bridging the Old and New Covenants and serving as the messenger prophesied in Malachi 3:1.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Elias" is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet "Elijah." The phrase "if ye will receive [it]" translates from the Greek `ei thelete dexasthai` (εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι), which literally means "if you are willing to accept" or "if you wish to receive." This emphasizes the conditional nature of understanding this spiritual truth – it is not forced upon anyone but requires an openness of heart and mind.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's plans unfold precisely as prophesied, often in ways that challenge our preconceived notions.

  1. Openness to Truth: We are called to cultivate spiritual discernment and an open heart to receive God's truth, even when it appears unconventional or requires a deeper understanding beyond the surface.
  2. Recognizing God's Messengers: Just as John the Baptist, God still uses various individuals and circumstances to prepare hearts for His work. We should be discerning and willing to recognize God's messengers, even if they don't fit our expectations.
  3. The Importance of Preparation: John's ministry, preparing the way for the Lord, highlights the ongoing need for repentance and spiritual preparation in our own lives, making straight the paths for Christ's work in and through us. Jesus further clarifies this connection to Elijah in Matthew 17:13, confirming that John was indeed the prophesied Elias.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 4:5

    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

  • Mark 9:11

    And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

  • Mark 9:13

    But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

  • Matthew 17:10

    And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

  • Matthew 17:13

    Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

  • Luke 1:17

    And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

  • John 1:21

    And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
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