Matthew 17:12

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

But {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} Elias {G2243} is come {G2064} already {G2235}, and {G2532} they knew {G1921} him {G846} not {G3756}, but {G235} have done {G4160} unto {G1722} him {G846} whatsoever {G3745} they listed {G2309}. Likewise {G3779} shall {G3195} also {G2532} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} suffer {G3958} of {G5259} them {G846}.

on the other hand, I tell you that Eliyahu has come already, and people did not recognize him but did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way, the Son of Man too is about to suffer at their hands."

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

In Matthew 17:12, Jesus addresses His disciples' question regarding the scribes' teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah. He reveals that the prophetic Elijah has already appeared in the person of John the Baptist, who was rejected and suffered greatly. Jesus then draws a direct parallel, prophesying that He, the Son of Man, will likewise suffer at the hands of men.

Context

This verse follows immediately after the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. As they descended from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" This question stemmed from the prophetic expectation in Malachi 4:5-6. Jesus' response clarifies that John the Baptist fulfilled this role, though unrecognized and ill-treated by the religious establishment, setting a grim precedent for His own destiny.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus unequivocally identifies John the Baptist as the Elias (Elijah) who was to come, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. John came "in the spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17) to prepare the way for the Messiah.
  • Rejection of God's Messengers: John the Baptist, despite his divine mission, was not recognized by many and ultimately suffered at the hands of King Herod (Matthew 14:1-12). This highlights a recurring pattern in biblical history where prophets sent by God are often met with hostility and rejection.
  • Prediction of Jesus' Suffering: Jesus draws a direct parallel between John's suffering and His own impending passion. This is not the first time Jesus predicts His death (Matthew 16:21), but it reinforces the theme that suffering is integral to the divine plan for both the forerunner and the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "whatsoever they listed" uses an archaic meaning of 'listed,' which means "desired" or "wished." It conveys that John's persecutors acted according to their own arbitrary will and malicious desires, rather than according to God's will or justice.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans unfold, often in ways unexpected by human understanding. It encourages believers to:

  • Discern God's Work: Be open to recognizing God's activity and messengers, even when they don't fit preconceived notions.
  • Understand the Nature of Suffering: Jesus' willingness to suffer, like John, demonstrates that suffering can be part of God's redemptive plan and a pathway to glory. It prepares His disciples for the reality that following Him might also involve hardship (John 15:20).
  • Recognize Divine Sovereignty: Despite human opposition and evil acts, God's ultimate purpose for His Son and for humanity is fulfilled.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • Matthew 16:21

    ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

  • Mark 6:14

    ¶ And king Herod heard [of him]; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

  • Mark 6:28

    And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

  • Acts 13:24

    When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

  • Acts 13:28

    And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

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