Okay, we know Elijah appeared at Jesus’ transfiguration in the New Testament. Where else did he appear? Check this out.
Matthew 16.14
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 27.47–49
And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”
Isn’t it interesting that even after we come into the New Testament, Elijah wouldn’t go away? People would not stop talking about him. Even Jesus talked about him. He mentioned his name when he spoke to his disciples about John the Baptist. When Jesus asked his disciples who did people say he was, they brought up Elijah’s name as one of the possibilities. Finally, what I find most remarkable is that people thought Jesus was calling for Elijah to save him at the crucifixion. Why did the people in the 1st century talk so much about Elijah? Why all this anticipation for him to return, and continue living? John the Baptist may not look like Elijah. Jesus may not look like Elijah. But that did not matter. It was possible to them he might be reborn in a body belonging to John the Baptist or to Jesus. Indeed, we see this play out in Matthew 17.10–13.
Matthew 17.10–13
And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
What made the 1st century scribes say something like this? From where did people get the idea Elijah must appear before the coming of the Messiah? Well, I am glad you asked. In the 1st century, every Jewish person knew one thing. Even today, every Jewish person knows one thing. Every Jewish person knows that Elijah must appear before the coming of the Messiah. Elijah must appear first, then the Messiah, and the Jewish people got this from what is recorded in Malachi 4.5–6. If you recall this past Easter, a Jewish gentleman came to our church to meet us, and to teach the Jewish Seder to us. He patiently explained the meanings behind the readings, rituals, customs, and of course, the unleavened bread, bitter herbs, shank bone and hard-boiled egg. But for many who are Jewish and who have not yet accepted that Elijah had already come, they continue to set aside an empty chair at the Passover table year after year in anticipation of Elijah’s return to earth.
Malachi 4.5–6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.
Every Jewish person is waiting for the appearance of the Lord. But every Jewish person is also waiting for the appearance of Elijah. If there is no Elijah, there is no Lord. So, the question is has Elijah yet to appear, or has he already appeared? We can know for sure that Elijah has already appeared because the New Testament said so. Jesus said to his disciples plainly Elijah had already come. The people failed to recognize, and to accept John the Baptist, so they killed him. From this, the disciples understood Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist. They understood that Elijah had already come.
One reason many Jewish people today have not yet accepted John the Baptist was Elijah is because they are expecting Elijah to return to earth in his physical form, and they are looking for him. However, we now know when Malachi prophesied Elijah would one day return again, his statement was not meant to be taken literally. It is true Elijah never died. But he would not return to earth in his physical form, and continue his life where he left off. Luke tried to say exactly this when he wrote in his gospel that John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
Luke 1.16–17
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.