Mat 17:10-13 | RWP | e4.org | Elijah must first come ( Ελειαν δε ελθειν πρωτον ). So this piece of theology concerned them more than anything else. They had just seen Elijah, but Jesus the Messiah had come before Elijah. The scribes used . Jesus had also spoken again of his death (resurrection). So they are puzzled.

‏ Matthew 17:10-13

Elijah must first come ( Ελειαν δε ελθειν πρωτον ). So this piece of theology concerned them more than anything else. They had just seen Elijah, but Jesus the Messiah had come before Elijah. The scribes used Mal 4:5. Jesus had also spoken again of his death (resurrection). So they are puzzled.

Elijah is come already ( Ελειας ηδη ηλθεν ). Thus Jesus identifies John the Baptist with the promise in Malachi, though not the real Elijah in person which John denied (Joh 1:21).

They knew him not ( ουκ επιγνωσαν αυτον ). Second aorist active indicative of επιγινωσκω, to recognize. Just as they do not know Jesus now (Joh 1:26). They killed John as they will Jesus the Son of Man.

Then understood ( τοτε συνηκαν ). One of the three k aorists. It was plain enough even for them. John was Elijah in spirit and had prepared the way for the Messiah.