Jesus repliedIn this passage, Jesus is responding to a question from His disciples. This interaction occurs after the Transfiguration, where Jesus was revealed in His glory alongside Moses and Elijah. The disciples are confused about the prophecy concerning Elijah's return, as mentioned in
Malachi 4:5-6. Jesus' reply is meant to clarify their understanding of prophetic fulfillment.
Elijah does indeed come
This phrase refers to the prophecy in Malachi that Elijah would return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." In Jewish tradition, Elijah is expected to come as a forerunner to the Messiah. Jesus affirms that this prophecy is true, indicating that Elijah's coming is part of God's redemptive plan. This can be seen as a reference to John the Baptist, who came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17), preparing the way for Jesus.
and he will restore all things
The restoration mentioned here involves a spiritual renewal and turning of hearts, as prophesied in Malachi. John the Baptist's ministry called people to repentance, preparing them for the coming of Christ. This restoration is not just a return to previous conditions but a transformation that aligns with God's kingdom purposes. It points to the ultimate restoration that will occur at the end of the age when Christ returns to establish His kingdom fully. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of restoration found in passages likeActs 3:21, where Peter speaks of the "restoration of all things" through Jesus.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is speaking in this passage.
2.
ElijahA major prophet in the Old Testament known for his powerful ministry and miracles. He is prophesied to return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (
Malachi 4:5).
3.
DisciplesThe followers of Jesus who are present during this conversation, seeking understanding of the prophecies concerning Elijah.
4.
Mount of TransfigurationThe event preceding this passage where Jesus is transfigured and Moses and Elijah appear, affirming Jesus' divine mission.
5.
John the BaptistAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, he is often identified as the "Elijah" who has come to prepare the way for Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy in a spiritual sense.
Teaching Points
Understanding ProphecyJesus affirms the fulfillment of prophecy, emphasizing the importance of understanding how Old Testament prophecies relate to New Testament events.
Role of RestorationElijah's role in "restoring all things" highlights the theme of restoration in God's plan, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Spiritual FulfillmentThe identification of John the Baptist as Elijah teaches us about the spiritual fulfillment of prophecies, encouraging believers to look beyond literal interpretations.
Preparation for ChristJust as Elijah prepared the way for the Lord, believers are called to prepare their hearts and the world for Christ's return.
Faith in God's PlanTrust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He fulfills His promises in His perfect timing and manner.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 17:11?
2.How does Matthew 17:11 affirm the role of prophecy in God's plan?
3.What does "Elijah is coming" teach about God's faithfulness to His promises?
4.How can we prepare for Christ's return as suggested in Matthew 17:11?
5.What Old Testament prophecies connect with the message in Matthew 17:11?
6.How should Matthew 17:11 influence our understanding of spiritual restoration today?
7.What does Jesus mean by "Elijah is coming" in Matthew 17:11?
8.How does Matthew 17:11 relate to the prophecy of Elijah's return?
9.Why is Elijah's role significant in the context of Matthew 17:11?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 17?
11.What role does Elijah play in the end times?
12.If faith is required for salvation, why does the Bible contain so many stories where God reveals Himself directly?
13.Why is John the Baptist considered the greatest?
14.Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come? Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13) No (John 1:19-21)What Does Matthew 17:11 Mean
Jesus repliedJesus answers the disciples right after they descend the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:9-10). They have just seen Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus, so their question about Elijah’s coming (Malachi 4:5-6) is fresh on their minds.
• By responding immediately, Jesus affirms the disciples are asking the right question—prophecy matters and is fulfilled precisely.
• His reply ties the vision they have witnessed to the larger prophetic timeline (Matthew 17:12;Mark 9:12-13).
• Jesus shows Himself as trustworthy interpreter of prophecy, reinforcing His earlier statement that John the Baptist was “Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:14).
Elijah does indeed come“Elijah does indeed come…” underscores certainty. Jesus is not speaking hypothetically; the promise of Elijah’s return is real and settled.
• Fulfilled already: In John the Baptist, who came “in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children” (Luke 1:17; cf.Matthew 11:14).
– John confronted sin (Matthew 3:1-12) much like Elijah confronted Ahab (1 Kings 18).
• Still future: Many prophecies carry both near and far horizons. Just as John fulfilled the role before Christ’s first advent,Revelation 11:3-6 hints at a future prophetic ministry resembling Elijah’s before the Lord’s second coming.
• The certainty of Elijah’s coming assures believers that God’s timetable is exact and His Word unfailing (Numbers 23:19).
and he will restore all thingsRestoration is the purpose behind Elijah’s coming. “He will restore all things” speaks of turning hearts back to covenant faithfulness.
• John the Baptist launched that restoration by calling Israel to repentance (Matthew 3:2), preparing them for Messiah’s saving work (John 1:29-31).
• Ultimate fulfillment awaits the kingdom when Christ returns and “the times of refreshing” arrive (Acts 3:19-21).
– In that day, all creation is liberated from corruption (Romans 8:19-21), and Israel is spiritually renewed (Zechariah 12:10;Romans 11:26).
• Restoration highlights God’s redemptive plan: He never abandons what He made but moves history toward total renewal (Revelation 21:5).
summaryMatthew 17:11 assures us that God’s prophetic promises are literal and reliable. Elijah’s coming—already modeled in John the Baptist and ultimately completed before Christ’s glorious return—serves the grand goal of restoring hearts, lives, and creation to their intended order under the reign of Jesus. Trusting this promise fuels readiness, repentance, and hope as we await the full restoration He guarantees.
(11)
Elias truly shall first come.--Better,
cometh Our Lord's words are obviously enigmatic in their form, and, as such, admit of two very different interpretations. Taken literally, as they have been by very many both in earlier and later times, they seem to say that Elijah shall come in person before the yet future day of the Lord, the great second Advent of the Christ. So it has been argued the prophecy of
Malachi 4:5 shall yet have a literal fulfilment, and John the Baptist when he confessed that he was not Elijah (
John 1:21) was rightly expecting his appearance. It would hardly be right to reject this interpretation merely on the ground of its literalism, or its improbability, or the resemblance which it has to the fantastic belief and practices, which have kept their ground even in modern Judaism, in connection with the expected appearance of the Tishbite, though these, so far as they go, must be thrown into the adverse scale. The words that follow in the next verse are, however, more decisive.
And restore all things.--Better,and shall restore. Leaving for the present the question who was to do the work, we turn to the nature of the work itself. Our Lord's language generalises the description given by Malachi. That work of "turning the hearts of the children to the fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children," was but part of a wider restoration of things and persons. Old truths were to be reproclaimed, and cleared from the after-growths of traditions. Men, as a race, were to be brought into their right relation to their God and Father. The words seem--at least as interpreted byActs 3:21 (where see Note);Romans 8:21;Ephesians 1:22-23;1Corinthians 15:28, and other like passages--to point forward to a "restitution of all things," the bringing in of order where now there is disorder and confusion, which shall embrace not Israel only, or even mankind, but the whole universe of God, visible and invisible. . . .
Verse 11. -
Elias truly shall firstcome (
ἔρχεται,
cometh). Many of the best manuscripts and editions omit "first." The Vulgate has merely,
Elias quidem venturus est. It is probably inserted in our text from the parallel passage in Mark, where it is certainly genuine. Christ is here alluding to his own second coming, which shall be preceded by the appearance of Elijah in person. This seems to be the plain meaning of the prophecy in Malachi, and of Christ's announcement, and is confirmed by St. John's statement concerning the two witnesses (
Revelation 11:3, 6). That the paragraph cannot refer to John the Baptist is plain from the tenses used in this verse contrasted with those in the following. To regard ver. 12 as simply a correction of ver. 10 is to do violence to language, and to leave one half of Malachi's prediction unexplained.
Restore (
ἀποκατασήσει)
all things. The event is still future, and was not fulfilled in the Baptist's preaching, however deep and extensive may have been its influence. Of course, John in a partial degree reproduced the character and acts of Elijah, directing the people to the eternal principles of justice and righteousness, to a reformation of religion and morals; but he could not be said to have reconstituted, re-established all things; though it is possible that, had his message been received and acted upon, some such effects would have been produced. How and in what degree Elijah, again appearing and living on earth, will effect this great achievement, we know not. We can only fall back on the ancient prophecy, which affirms that "he shall turn the heart of the fathers to [or, 'with'] the children, and the heart of the children to [or, 'and'] their fathers" (
Malachi 4:6), and expect that in some way, known unto God, he shall convert one and all, young and old, unto the Lord; or unite the Jews who are the fathers in the faith to Christians who are their children, and thus embrace Jew and Gentile in one fold under one Shepherd.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[Jesus] replied,εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“ElijahἨλίας(Ēlias)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2243:Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.{does} indeedμὲν(men)Conjunction
Strong's 3303:A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.come,ἔρχεται(erchetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.he will restoreἀποκαταστήσει(apokatastēsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 600:From apo and kathistemi; to reconstitute.all things.πάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 17:11 Jesus answered them Elijah indeed comes first (Matt. Mat Mt) 
