Matthew 17:12

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 17:12, Jesus clarifies to His disciples that the prophesied Elijah has already appeared in the person of John the Baptist, who, despite his divine mission, was rejected and suffered greatly at the hands of those who did not recognize him. Drawing a poignant parallel, Jesus then prophesies that He, the Son of Man, will likewise endure suffering at the hands of humanity, foreshadowing His own impending passion and death. This statement underscores the continuity of prophetic rejection and the necessary path of suffering for both the forerunner and the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the profound event of the Transfiguration, described in [Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration"). As Jesus and His inner circle (Peter, James, and John) descend from the mountain, the disciples, having just witnessed Elijah appear alongside Moses and Jesus, pose a question rooted in their understanding of Old Testament prophecy: "[Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?](/matthew/17-10 "Matthew 17:10 - Disciples' Question About Elijah")" Their query reflects a common Jewish expectation, based on Malachi's prophecy, that Elijah would precede the Messiah. Jesus' response in [Matthew 17:11-13](/matthew/17-11-13 "Matthew 17:11-13 - Jesus Explains Elijah's Coming") directly addresses this, identifying John the Baptist as the fulfillment of this prophecy and linking John's rejection to His own coming suffering, a theme previously introduced in [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Suffering").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The expectation of Elijah's return was deeply ingrained in Jewish eschatology, primarily stemming from [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"). This prophecy stated that Elijah would come "before the great and dreadful day of the LORD" to "turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers." The scribes, as authoritative interpreters of the Law and Prophets, taught this as a prerequisite for the Messiah's arrival. The popular understanding often envisioned a glorious, unmistakable return of Elijah. John the Baptist, however, came in an austere manner, preaching repentance, and was ultimately imprisoned and executed by Herod Antipas ([Matthew 14:1-12](/matthew/14-1-12 "Matthew 14:1-12 - The Death of John the Baptist")). This stark contrast between the expected glorious return and John's humble, suffering reality highlights the challenge of recognizing God's work when it deviates from human preconceptions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, **Prophetic Fulfillment** is central, as Jesus explicitly identifies John the Baptist as the "Elias" who was to come, fulfilling the prophecy of [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Elijah's Prophecy"). This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His Word, even when fulfilled in unexpected ways, as also seen in [Matthew 11:14](/matthew/11-14 "Matthew 11:14 - John as Elijah"). Secondly, the theme of the **Rejection of God's Messengers** is prominent. John the Baptist, despite being God's chosen forerunner, was not recognized or accepted by many, particularly the religious authorities, and suffered a violent death. This pattern of rejection of prophets is a recurring motif in Israel's history, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection of the Messiah himself. Lastly, the verse emphasizes the **Necessity of Suffering for the Messiah**. By drawing a direct parallel between John's suffering and His own, Jesus reiterates that His path to glory is not through worldly power but through sacrificial suffering, a truth He had begun to reveal to His disciples, as recorded in [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus' First Passion Prediction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This refers to Elijah, the Israelite prophet whose return was prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus' identification of John the Baptist as "Elias" is a direct statement of prophetic fulfillment, indicating that John embodied the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah, as described in [Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John's Mission in the Spirit of Elijah").
* **knew (Greek, _epiginṓskō'_):** This word means "to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge." The phrase "they knew him not" signifies not merely a lack of intellectual awareness, but a failure to recognize John's divine mission and authority, and a refusal to acknowledge him as God's appointed messenger. This lack of spiritual discernment led to their mistreatment of him.
* **suffer (Greek, _páschō'_):** This primary verb means "to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)." In this context, it refers to the painful experiences, persecution, and ultimately the death that John endured, and which Jesus prophesies for Himself. It highlights the theme of redemptive suffering as central to God's plan for both the forerunner and the Messiah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say unto you, That Elias is come already":** Jesus directly corrects the disciples' understanding, affirming that the prophetic figure of Elijah has indeed arrived, but in the person of John the Baptist. The "already" (G2235, _ḗdē_) emphasizes that this fulfillment is a present reality, not a future event.
* **"and they knew him not":** This clause reveals the tragic failure of the people, particularly the religious establishment, to recognize John for who he truly was—God's appointed messenger. This lack of spiritual discernment and acknowledgment led to their subsequent actions.
* **"but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.":** This indicates that John's persecutors acted according to their own arbitrary will and malicious desires ("listed" from G2309, _thélō_, meaning "to determine as an active option from subjective impulse; to wish"), rather than according to God's will or justice. This refers to John's imprisonment and execution by Herod, instigated by Herodias.
* **"Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.":** Jesus draws a stark and direct parallel between John's suffering and His own impending passion. The "likewise" (G3779, _hoútō_) underscores the continuity of rejection and suffering for God's messengers. This is a clear and somber prophecy of Jesus' own arrest, trial, and crucifixion at the hands of humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Parallelism** is central, as Jesus explicitly draws a direct comparison between the suffering and rejection of John the Baptist and His own impending suffering as the Son of Man. This structural mirroring emphasizes the continuity of God's redemptive plan, where the forerunner's fate foreshadows the Messiah's. Furthermore, the passage contains **Prophecy**, as Jesus foretells His own suffering, reinforcing earlier predictions and preparing His disciples for the difficult path ahead. There is also an element of **Irony** in the statement "they knew him not," as the very people who eagerly awaited Elijah's coming failed to recognize him when he appeared, highlighting the spiritual blindness that often accompanies human expectations that diverge from divine reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 17:12 is a pivotal verse that weaves together several profound theological threads: the nature of prophetic fulfillment, the recurring theme of humanity's rejection of God's messengers, and the divine necessity of suffering for the Messiah. It reveals that God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human expectations, requiring spiritual discernment rather than adherence to rigid preconceptions. The suffering of John the Baptist, the divinely appointed forerunner, serves as a grim precursor to the greater suffering of Jesus, the Messiah. This pattern underscores that God's redemptive work is often accomplished not through worldly power and recognition, but through humility, rejection, and sacrifice. It challenges believers to look beyond conventional wisdom and embrace God's unconventional methods for salvation.

* [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")
* [Matthew 11:14](/matthew/11-14 "Matthew 11:14 - John the Baptist as Elijah")
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights for believers today, challenging us to re-examine our expectations of God's work and our response to suffering. Just as the people of Jesus' day failed to recognize Elijah in John the Baptist, we too can miss God's activity when it doesn't conform to our preconceived notions of how He should act or who His messengers should be. This calls for spiritual humility and a willingness to discern God's hand in unexpected places and through unconventional means. Furthermore, Jesus' willingness to embrace suffering, mirroring John's, teaches us that hardship and rejection are not necessarily indicators of God's disfavor, but can be integral parts of His redemptive plan. Following Christ means accepting the possibility of suffering for righteousness' sake, understanding that our path may also involve rejection, misunderstanding, or hardship. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves pain, knowing that through suffering, God often accomplishes His greatest work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might my own preconceived notions or cultural expectations prevent me from recognizing God's work or His messengers in my life today?**
* **In what ways have I, or has the church, been tempted to avoid suffering, even when it might be part of God's redemptive plan?**
* **How does Jesus' willingness to suffer, as foreshadowed by John's experience, deepen my understanding of His love and sacrifice for humanity?**
* **What does it mean to "suffer with Christ" in a contemporary context, and how can I embrace this aspect of discipleship?**

### FAQ
**Why did the scribes teach that Elijah must come first, and how did John the Baptist fulfill this?**

Answer: The scribes' teaching was based on the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), which stated that Elijah would return "before the great and dreadful day of the LORD" to prepare the people for God's coming. This was widely interpreted as a necessary precursor to the Messiah's arrival. John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy not by being Elijah reincarnated, but by coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah," as foretold in [Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John's Mission"). He preached a message of repentance, called Israel to turn back to God, and prepared the way for Jesus, the Messiah, just as Elijah was prophesied to do. His ministry was a spiritual fulfillment, not a literal return of the historical Elijah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 17:12, in its stark parallel between John the Baptist's suffering and Jesus' own impending passion, powerfully points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. John, as the forerunner, prepared the way for the Messiah, but his rejection and suffering foreshadowed the ultimate fate of the One he announced. Jesus, the Son of Man, willingly embraced this path of suffering, not as a victim of circumstance, but as the sovereign Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His suffering, culminating in the crucifixion, was not an unfortunate detour but the very means by which He would achieve salvation for humanity, fulfilling the prophecies of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). By enduring rejection and death, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of obedience to the Father ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")) and became the "author of salvation through suffering" ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus Perfected Through Suffering")). His suffering, unlike John's, was redemptive, atoning for sin, and leading to His glorious resurrection and exaltation, thereby establishing His eternal kingdom and proving that the path to true glory often lies through humility and sacrifice ([Luke 24:26](/luke/24-26 "Luke 24:26 - Christ's Suffering and Glory")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.