Matthew 17:11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Elias {G2243} truly {G3303} shall first {G4412} come {G2064}, and {G2532} restore {G600} all things {G3956}.

He answered, "On the one hand, Eliyahu is coming and will restore all things;

Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.

And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:

Commentary

In Matthew 17:11, Jesus responds to His disciples' question regarding the scribes' teaching that Elijah must first come before the Messiah. This verse is pivotal in understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Context

This statement by Jesus follows the miraculous event of the Transfiguration, where Jesus was seen glorified alongside Moses and Elijah. The disciples, descending from the mountain, were puzzled by the common Jewish belief, based on prophecy (especially Malachi 4:5-6), that Elijah would precede the Messiah. Their question in Matthew 17:10 prompts this direct answer from Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Affirmation: Jesus affirms the truth of the Old Testament prophecy concerning Elijah's coming. He doesn't deny the prophecy itself but clarifies its interpretation and fulfillment.
  • Elijah's Mission: The phrase "restore all things" highlights Elijah's role in preparing the hearts of the people, turning them back to God, and setting things right before the Messiah's full revelation. This restoration isn't necessarily a physical rebuilding but a spiritual and moral preparation.
  • Fulfillment in John the Baptist: While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the subsequent verses (Matthew 17:12-13) reveal that Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the fulfillment of this prophecy, coming "in the spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Elias" is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet "Elijah." The phrase "restore all things" comes from the Greek verb apokathistēmi (ἀποκαθίστημι), which means to "restore," "reinstate," or "bring back to a former state." In this context, it speaks to the spiritual and moral preparation necessary for the coming of the Lord, turning hearts and minds back to God's covenant and truth.

Reflection and Application

This verse teaches us about the precise fulfillment of God's Word. Even when prophecies seem enigmatic, God orchestrates their perfect timing and application. It underscores the importance of a preparatory work before significant divine interventions. For believers today, it reminds us that God is always at work to "restore" and set things right, often through unexpected means or individuals. Our role is to discern His work and participate in the ongoing spiritual restoration, preparing hearts for His presence and further revelation.

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

  • Acts 3:21

    Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

  • Luke 1:16

    And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

  • 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.

  • Malachi 4:6

    And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

  • Luke 3:3

    And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

  • Luke 3:14

    And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.
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