Why did John the Baptist deny that he was Elijah when Jesus said he was Elijah?
Jesus referred to John the Baptist by saying, “If you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” Yet, when the priests and Levites asked John the Baptist directly. “Are you Elijah?” he replied. “I am not.” The resolution comes from recognizing that the Old Testament predicts that Elijah comes back twice, once in connection with Christ’s incarnation and later before Christ’s return as judge and king. In the case of the second coming, Malachi 4 says that Elijah will return personally, in the flesh. No such specific statement, however, is made for the first coming. Luke 1 records that an angel told Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, that his son would “go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah! ‘This was the same description used for Elijah’s assistant and successor, Elishah. Though Elishah and Elijah were clearly different individuals, Elishah was acknowledged as one who ministered with the spirit and power of Elijah. John the Baptist likewise was
Jesus made it clear that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of the Malachi prophecy. Thats clear and that’s the end of the story. In relation to Malachi’s prophecy, Jesus did not refer to Elijahs presence at the transfiguration as the fulfilment. No, he referred to John, and even alluded to Johns death. Interesting that Jesus added "if you can accept it". Why do people today insist that Malachi’s prophecy is yet to be fulfilled in some fanciful ‘end times’ interpretation. Because, like the early Jewish leaders, they cannot accept what Jesus said. John fulfilled the prophecy, and it was accompanied by God’s judgement on the land that rejected Him. This focus on ‘end times’ so often puts the emphasis on the Old system and the old land, whereas the New Testament puts it on Jesus, His rule and His people. Praise God.
