“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.”– Matthew 17:12 (KJV)
“But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but they didn’t recognize him and they have done to him whatever they pleased. In the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”– Matthew 17:12 (NLT)
“But I’m telling you, Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. They treated him like dirt. That’s what they’re going to do to the Son of Man.”– Matthew 17:12 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 17:12 Mean?
Matthew 17:12 is a significant passage, where Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist in the context of Elijah. When we read Matthew 17:12, we find a connection between the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah and John the Baptist. There is a rich history behind this statement that echoes the prophetic voices from earlier parts of the Old Testament. Jesus helps us understand that just as Elijah faced rejection, so would He. It is a foreshadowing of the suffering that Jesus would endure for our sake.
In Malachi 4:5, it says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” This scripture sets the stage for our understanding of the connection Jesus is making. The people expected Elijah to appear literally, but Jesus reveals that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. This might have been a startling revelation for the disciples and those who followed Jesus, as they had expectations that didn’t align with what was happening right before their eyes.
Matthew 17:12 Explanation and Commentary
When Jesus mentions Elijah, He is not just making a simple reference; He is also asserting His own identity and mission as the Son of God. The role of Elijah is significant in Jewish history, as he was a prophet who stood up against false teachings and idolatry. Jesus is saying that He, too, is coming as a prophet, but His mission is vastly greater, culminating in His sacrifice.
The phrase “they knew him not” indicates the inability or unwillingness of the people to recognize the truth when it stood before them. Think about it for a moment. How often do we find ourselves overlooking the signs or the messages that God sends our way? We get caught up in our expectations or in our understanding of how things should be. Just like the people in Jesus’ time, we may miss the grace and truth present in our lives.
In a way, we can reflect on our life experiences. When God offers us guidance or a direction that seems out of character or ordinary, we might disregard it because it does not fit our expectations. We can be just like the people Jesus was speaking about. This humbling thought is one reason why meditating on scripture is important – it helps guide us toward recognizing God’s work around us and its implications for our own lives.
John the Baptist faced similar rejection, which is echoed in Matthew 14:10 when King Herod has him beheaded. It tells us about the hostility and misunderstanding that often come when we stand up for God’s truth. The same fate awaited Jesus, who would suffer and die, not because of His wrongdoing, but because of the world’s failure to see, hear, and accept Him as the awaited Messiah.
Context of Matthew 17:12
Understanding the context of Matthew 17:12 is essential. This verse comes right after the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Peter, James, and John witnessed an incredible divine revelation. They saw Jesus radiating light and speaking to Moses and Elijah, both pillars of the faith. The disciples were terrified, and Peter’s response was to want to build tents for them there, showcasing how unprepared they were for the revelation of who Jesus truly was.
In this moment of divine glory, Jesus reaffirms His mission and role. We can see a combination of grandeur and humility in the passage. The grandeur is evident in the Transfiguration, but the humility becomes glaringly clear in Jesus’ words about suffering. Additionally, this conversation happens just before He continues toward Jerusalem, where He would ultimately be tried and crucified. Jesus is preparing His disciples not only for the revelation of His glory but also for the pain they would witness and eventually face as His followers.
One notable point is that Jesus mentions the future suffering of the Son of Man not to instill fear but to prepare His disciples for what they would encounter. This redefines expectations of success in their faith. Sometimes we misunderstand suffering as a sign of failure, but in Jesus’ teachings, we see it can also be a pathway to deeper faith and resilience.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 17:12
The verse stresses two main points: the identity of Elijah and the suffering of the Son of Man. When Jesus cites Elijah, He identifies a critical link between the Old Testament prophecy and its New Testament fulfillment. Elijah represented the fiery zeal for God, the call to repentance, and the confrontation of corruption. John fulfilled this role in his message of repentance, calling people back to sincere worship and alerting them of the coming kingdom of God.
When Jesus reflects on the mistreatment of Elijah, He uses that history to prepare His disciples for what was to come. The response of the crowd, as well as their leaders, serves as foreshadowing for how Jesus would ultimately be handled. The phrase “done unto him whatsoever they listed” points to the rejection and cruelty carried out against God’s messengers throughout history, emphasizing the humanity’s tendency to resist divine truth.
Finally, it addresses the suffering of Jesus, the ultimate Son of Man, which brings an opportunity for us to embrace sacrifice in our own Christian walk. Jesus exemplifies that suffering can lead to redemption. It is through His suffering that our salvation becomes available. This connection reminds us of the sufferings we face in our own lives, encouraging us to endure with hope, knowing that trials can fulfill God’s greater purpose.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 17:12
There are various lessons we can extract from Matthew 17:12. One of them revolves around recognizing God’s plan when it does not align with our expectations. Much like the crowds who could not recognize Elijah reborn in John the Baptist, we may sometimes overlook divine interventions because they don’t fit our anticipated mold. Regular prayer and attentiveness to scripture can help cultivate eyes that see beyond the ordinary.
The text reminds us of the importance of identifying with the suffering of Christ. It teaches us that faith is not just about victory but also involves wrestling with trials and tribulations. We can find strength during difficult times, knowing that even Jesus faced hardship and rejection. When things don’t go as planned, we can hold onto the belief that our struggles are never in vain and that God works for good even amid our pain.
Moreover, this scripture serves as an encouragement to be bold in our faith as John the Baptist was. He did not shy away from his calling, even facing a tragic end. We, too, can strive to live authentically and courageously in our beliefs, knowing that our actions may sometimes lead us to challenges. It is a call to stand firm knowing that our faithfulness in God’s calling is always worth it.
Lastly, Matthew 17:12 delivers a powerful reminder of hope in Jesus’s final mission. His suffering was not the end but instead led to the fulfillment of God’s promise to humanity. This becomes our source of hope when we find ourselves in trials, always remembering that Jesus triumphs, and we, too, can share in His glory through our perseverance.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 17:12 opens up profound reflections on our relationship with God and our understanding of Jesus as the Messiah. It invites us to ponder how we respond to truth and whether we are attentive to the whispers of God’s calling in our lives. Among our everyday distractions, may we take time to reflect on our commitment to God, just as the disciples were challenged to adjust their perceptions of success and glory.
Let us embrace the challenges life presents us. Just as Jesus prepared His disciples, we can prepare our hearts to face our own challenges with faith. We can seek clarity regarding areas of our lives where we may have missed the signs of God’s presence. By meditating and reflecting on Matthew 17:12 with an open heart, we become more attuned to the workings of God, growing in our ability to recognize and respond appropriately to divine truths.
If you are excited to explore more about the teachings of Jesus or other verses, I encourage you to check out some additional readings, like Matthew 11 or dive into the beginnings in Genesis 1 to find new insights that uplift your faith.