The transfiguration

[Newfaith2010]

Hey all,

Could someone explain to me Matt 17 v 10 - 13....

Is it saying John the Baptist and Elijah are one..or whats the message here?!

TIA

Sarah

 

[MrPolo]

Often people or places in the New Testament have their figures, shadows, or precursors in the Old Testament. This is called "typology." Here's an understanding of the ancient Church on this matter:

And whence did the disciples know this? He had already told them, He is Elias, which was for to come; Matthew 11:14 but here, that he has come; and again, that Elias comes and will restore all things. But be not thou troubled, nor imagine that His statement wavers, though at one time He said, he will come, at another, he has come. For all these things are true. Since when He says, Elias indeed comes, and will restore all things, He means Elias himself, and the conversion of the Jews which is then to take place; but when He says, Which was for to come, He calls John, Elias, with regard to the manner of his administration. Yea, and so the prophets used to call every one of their approved kings, David; and the Jews, rulers of Sodom, Isaiah 1:10 and sons of Ethiopians; Amos 9:7 because of their ways. For as the other shall be forerunner of the second advent, so was this of the first. (St. John Chrysostom, Homily 57 on Matthew, ca 380 A.D.)​

In other words, John comes in the spirit of, as in in the manner of Elias (aka Elijah).