Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive [it,] this is Elijah, which was for to come.
14. if ye will receive it ] The present unhappy circumstances in which John was placed seemed inconsistent with such a view of his mission (Meyer).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
If ye will receive it – This is a mode of speaking implying that the doctrine which he was about to state was different from their common views; that he was about to state something which varied from the common expectation, and which therefore they might be disposed to reject.
This is Elias … – That is, Elijah. Elias is the Greek mode of writing the Hebrew word Elijah. An account of him is found in the first and second books of Kings. He was a distinguished prophet, and was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, 2Ki 2:11. The prophet Malachi Mal 4:5-6 predicted that Elijah would be sent before the coming of the Messiah to prepare the way for him. By this was evidently meant, not that he should appear in person, but that one should appear with a striking resemblance to him; or, as Luke Luk 1:17 expresses it, in the spirit and power of Elijah. But the Jews understood it differently. They supposed that Elijah would appear in person. They also supposed that Jeremiah and some other of the prophets would appear also to usher in the promised Messiah and to grace his advent. See Mat 16:14; Mat 17:10; Joh 1:21. This prevalent belief was the reason why he used the words if ye will receive it, implying that the affirmation that John was the promised Elijah was a doctrine contrary to their expectation.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. This is Elias, which was for to come.] This should always be written Elijah, that as strict a conformity as possible might be kept up between the names in the Old Testament and the New. The Prophet Malachi, who predicted the coming of the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah, gave the three following distinct characteristics of him. First, That he should be the forerunner and messenger of the Messiah: Behold I send my messenger before me, Mal 3:1. Secondly, That he should appear before the destruction of the second temple: Even the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, ibid. Thirdly, That he should preach repentance to the Jews; and that, some time after, the great and terrible day of the Lord should come, and the Jewish land be smitten with a curse, Mal 4:5-6. Now these three characters agree perfectly with the conduct of the Baptist, and what shortly followed his preaching, and have not been found in any one else; which is a convincing proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
God had told the Jews, Mal 4:5,6, that he would send them Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers, lest (saith he) I come and smite the earth with a curse. This prophecy related to John the Baptist, as our Saviour here teacheth us; so, Luk 1:17, it is confirmed by the angel to Zacharias, and Mar 9:11. From which last text it appeareth, that the scribes had a tradition, that Elias should come before the Messiah. Their mistake was that they looked for an Elias to come in person, whenas God meant no more (as the angel expounds it, Luk 1:17) than one in the spirit and power of Elias, as bold and free a preacher, who should no more fear the face of men in the discharge of his duty than Elias did. Saith our Saviour, if you will believe, this John was that Elias prophesied of by Malachi.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And if ye will receive it,…. The words carry in them some suspicion of unbelief and hardness of heart, as though they would not receive it: however, whether they would or not, it was a certain truth, that
this same person, “John the Baptist”,
is Elias, which was for to come; who was appointed by God to come, and was prophesied of Mal 4:5 that he should come; and even according to the doctrine of the Scribes and Rabbins, he was expected to come before the Messiah; only they in general thought that Elijah the Tishbite, in person, was meant; though some, as before observed e, were of opinion, that some great prophet equal to Elijah, and endued with the same spirit, is intended; and which is true of John the Baptist, who came “in the Spirit” and “power” of Elias, Lu 1:17. And, as it was usual with the Jews f, to call Phinehas by the name of Elias, and Elias Phinehas, because of his zeal for the Lord of hosts; for the same reason may John be called by the same name, there being a great resemblance between Elias and him; in their temper and disposition; in their manner of clothing, and austere way of living; in their very great piety and holiness; in their courage and integrity, in reproving vice; and in their zeal and usefulness in the cause of God, and true religion: in respect to which, Christ must be here understood, when he affirms John to be Elias; not Elias in person, but he that was intended by Elias, that was said should come: hence here is no contradiction to the words of the Baptist, in Joh 1:21 when he says, that he was not Elias; for the Jews, who put the question to him, whether he was Elias, or not? meant whether he was Elias in person, Elias the Tishbite, or not; and so John understood them, and very honestly and sincerely replies, he was not: but he does not deny that he was intended by this Elias, that was prophesied should come; yea, he says such things as might induce them to believe he was that person; hence, Christ, and he, say nothing contrary to, and irreconcilable, as the Jew g suggests, with each other.
e Vid. Pocock. not. in porta Mosis, p. 219. f Baal Hatturim in Num. xxv. 12. Kimchi in 1 Chron. ix. 20. Targum Jon. in Exod. vi. 18. g R. Isaac Chizzuk Emuna, par. 1. c. 39. & par. 2. c. 15.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This is Elijah ( ). Jesus here endorses John as the promise of Malachi. The people understood Mal 4:1 to mean the return of Elijah in person. This John denied as to himself (Joh 1:21). But Jesus affirms that John is the Elijah of promise who has come already (Mt 17:12). He emphasizes the point: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
If ye will [] . More correctly, Rev., If ye are willing or disposed. For there would naturally be an unwillingness to receive the statement about John’s high place, in view of John’s imprisonment.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And if ye will receive it,” (kai ei thelete deksasthai) “And if you all are willing (of a sincere and honest heart) to receive it, or Him,” receive John the Baptist as an actual Divinely sent prophet, and his message and work, Mat 3:1-3; Joh 1:6-8; Joh 1:23; Joh 1:33.
2) “This is Elias, which was for to come.” (autos estin Elias ho mellon erksesthai) “He is (exists as) the one who was about to come,” as prophesied by Mal 3:1. He was the Elijah of Malachai, the herald of the Great Day, the forerunner or usher of Jesus Christ, and His new order of worship and service, repeatedly and exclusively called “The Kingdom of Heaven,” by both John the Baptist and Jesus, as exclusively and definitively related by Matthew some thirty times, always meaning “the church.”
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
14. And if you are willing to receive it He now explains more clearly in what manner John began to preach the kingdom of God It was in the character of that Elijah, who was to be sent before the face of God, (Mal 4:5.) Our Lord’s meaning therefore is, that the great and dreadful day of the Lord, which Malachi described, is now beheld by the Jews, when Elijah, who was there promised, discharges his office as a herald. Again, by this exception, if you are willing to receive it, he glances at their hardened obstinacy, in maliciously shutting their eyes against the clearest light. But will he cease to be Elijah, if he shall not be received? Christ does not mean that John’s official character (17) depends on their approbation; but having declared that he is Elijah, he charges them with carelessness and ingratitude, if he does not obtain that respect to which he is entitled.
(17) “ L’estat et la commission de Iean;” — “John’s rank and commission.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) This is Elias.The words of Malachi (Mal. 4:5) had led men to expect the reappearance of the great Tishbite in person as the immediate precursor of the Christ. It was the teaching of the scribes then (Mat. 17:10; Joh. 1:21); it has lingered as a tradition of Judaism down to our own time. A vacant chair is placed for Elijah at all great solemnities. Even Christian interpreters have cherished the belief that Elijah will appear in person before the second Advent of the Lord. The true meaning of the words of Malachi had, however, been suggested in the words of the angel in Luk. 1:17, He shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, and is here distinctly confirmed. The words if ye will (i.e., are willing to) receive it imply the consciousness that our Lord was setting aside a popular and strongly-fixed belief: If you are willing and able to receive the truth that John was in very deed doing the work of Elijah, you need look for no other in the future.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. This is Elias Elijah. Elijah came to restore the theocracy. He laboured, like John, with but partial success; and like John, was somewhat impatient at small results.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Mat 11:14. And if ye will receive it There is nothing for the particle it in the original; therefore Dr. Heylin reads him; and if this be the proper supplement, says he, we must understand that total perfect repentance which constitutes the common character both of him and Elias. For more on this subject we refer the reader to Mal 4:5-6 and Bullock on Prophesy, pref. p. 50.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
14 And if ye will receive it , this is Elias, which was for to come.
Ver. 14. This is Elias ] Not the Tishbite, but yet the same that Malachi foretold should come in the “spirit and power of Elias.” And surely, if we observe it (as here, Christ saith to the Jews, If ye will receive it), there is a wonderful agreement between the times of Elias and John Baptist, between Ahab and Herod, between Jezebel and Herodias, &c. The Jews also have a saying among them at this day, when they are puzzled in any point, Elias, cum venerit, solvet omnia. When Elijah comes, he will explain everything.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
if, &c. Assuming it as a fact. See App-118., as in verses: Mat 11:21, Mat 11:23.
will = are willing. Greek. thelo.
receive = to receive. Compare Act 2:41.
this is = he represents. Had the nation repented, John would have been reckoned as Elijah.
is = represents. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6.
Elias = Elijah.
was for to come = is about to come. See Mal 4:5, and Luk 1:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 11:14. , if ye will) It is your interest that is at stake. The expression, (used in the last verse), is explained: it is the willing only who are compelled. All is prepared: it only remains that you should be willing.-, Elias) The absence of the article shows that the word is used antonomatically.[525] John makes of both fathers and children. Cf. , but, in v. 16.[526] The prophecy of the Old Testament concludes with this Elijah at the end of Malachi. John is called Elias on account of the office of forerunner, which he had in common with the Tishbite.- , who is about to come) The language is, as it were, that of one looking forward from the Old Testament into the New.[527]
[525] See Append. Antonomasia here applies the name Elias to John, not literally, but analogously; as Elias was in the O. Test., so John in preparing for the coming N. Test. kingdom.-ED.
[526] i.e. John I have likened to Elijah; but to whom shall I liken this generation?-ED.
[527] Moreover John is not called absolutely , but .-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
this is Elias
(See Scofield “Mat 17:10”). Also, Mat 17:12; Mal 4:5
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
if: Eze 2:5, Eze 3:10, Eze 3:11, Joh 16:12, 1Co 3:2
this: Mat 17:10-13, Mal 4:5, Mar 9:11-13, Luk 1:17, Joh 1:21-23, Rev 20:4
Reciprocal: 1Ki 17:1 – Elijah Mat 11:9 – A prophet Mat 17:3 – Moses Mat 17:13 – the disciples Mat 27:47 – This Mar 9:13 – Elias
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:14
Elias in the New Testament is the form for Elijah in the old. Mal 4:5 prophesied that “Elijah the prophet” was to come, which Luk 1:17 words” in the spirit and power of Elias.” John the Baptist was not Elias in person (for he had gone to heaven, 2Ki 2:11), but had the same kind of spirit (PNEUMA) and power (DUNAMIS) as he, and hence he is called by his name.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And if ye will receive it; this is Elias, which was for to come.
[If ye will receive it, this is Elias.] If ye will receive it. The words hint some suspicion, that they would not receive his doctrine; which the obstinate expectation of that nation unto this very day, that Elias is personally to come, witnesseth also. Upon what ground some Christians are of the same opinion, let themselves look to it. See the notes on Mat 17:10.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Mat 11:14. And if ye are willing to receive it. The Jews expected that Elijah would rise from the dead, hence many would not receive it. The popular notions on the whole subject of prophecy were incorrect; for in the day of fulfilment our Lord thus prefaces an explanation.
He is Elijah, etc. Mal 4:5, applied to John before his birth by the angel Gabriel (Luk 1:17). Not the entire fulfilment of the prophecy, for John himself (Joh 1:21) said he was not Elijah, and our Lord afterwards intimated that another coming of Elijah is to be expected (Mat 17:11).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
In the previous two verses Jesus spoke of the imminent kingdom. It was encountering severe opposition. In these two verses He discussed the potential beginning of the kingdom.
The messianic kingdom would come if the Jews would accept it. In the Greek text the conditional particle (ei) assumes for the sake of the argument that they would receive it. Assuming they would, John would fulfill Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah being Messiah’s forerunner (Mal 4:5-6).
"There is scarcely a passage in Scripture which shows more clearly that the kingdom was being offered to Israel at this time." [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 153.]
All amillenarians and some premillenarians, namely, covenant (historic) premillenarians and progressive dispensationalists, believe that the kingdom really began with Jesus’ preaching. [Note: E.g., Carson, "Matthew," p. 268, a premillenarian.] They interpret this conditional statement as follows. They say Jesus was acknowledging that it was difficult to accept the fact that John was the fulfillment of the prophecies about Elijah. They take "it" as referring to Jesus’ statement about John rather than the kingdom. Since both antecedents are in the context the interpretation hinges on one’s conclusion about whether the kingdom really did begin with Jesus’ preaching or whether it is still future. I favor the second alternative in view of the Old Testament prophecies about the kingdom and how Matthew presented Jesus’ concept of the kingdom. Jesus viewed the messianic kingdom as future and earthly, not present and future. In saying this I do not deny that in one sense God rules over His own now. However this is a heavenly rule, a rule from heaven. The Old Testament prophets predicted that Messiah would rule on the earth. This earthly rule of God over His own is still future. This is the kingdom that John announced and Jesus offered to Israel.
Jesus did not say that John was Elijah. That depended on Israel’s repenting and accepting Jesus as the Messiah. John fulfilled Isa 40:3 and Mal 3:1, prophecies about Messiah’s forerunner, but not Mal 4:5-6, the prophecy about the forerunner turning the people’s hearts to God, since Israel rejected Jesus.
". . . John the Baptist stands in fulfillment of the promise of Malachi concerning the coming of Elijah, but only in the sense that he announced the coming of Christ." [Note: Merrill, "Deuteronomy . . .," p. 30.]
Who will fulfill Mal 4:5-6 and when? Perhaps Elijah himself will be one of the two witnesses who will prepare the Israelites for Messiah’s second coming (Rev 11:1-14). Since John could have fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah, I tend to think that Elijah need not return to earth personally for this ministry. [Note: Walvoord, Matthew: . . ., p. 82.] Probably the two witnesses will be two contemporary believers in the Tribulation who will turn the people’s hearts to God as Elijah did in his day.
Mat 11:15 underlines the great significance of what Jesus had just stated.