Who was John the Baptist ?

[Apple Sky]

I'm a bit confused here as Jesus said he was Elijah

And isn't it Elijah who the Jews are waiting for ????

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

I'm a bit confused here as Jesus said he was Elijah

And isn't it Elijah who the Jews are waiting for ????

They asked him if he was and he said he was not...he said he was the "one crying in the wilderness to make the paths straight"...he was to prepare the way. There were very many similarities to EliYahu even to how he dressed. "I will send EliYahu HaNavi to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes". Yeshua said "But I tell you that EliYahu has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished". EliYahu was taken alive into HaShamayim so when he would come again he would die.

 

[Apple Sky]

Yeshua said "But I tell you that EliYahu has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished".

Thanks Yeshua HaDerekh, this is the part I don't quite understand 'he has come but they didn't recognize him'

Was John the baptist Elijah ?

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

Thanks Yeshua HaDerekh, this is the part I don't quite understand 'he has come but they didn't recognize him'

Was John the baptist Elijah ?

He himself said he was not. Yeshua said, "if you will have it, EliYahu has already come". "But I tell you that EliYahu has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished". He identified himself as the messenger of Isaiah 40:3, not as the EliYahu of Malachi 3:1. On Eastern Orthodox Icons he is depicted with wings because he was the Messenger like an angel would be. He came in the "spirit and power of EliYahu". He was definitely a "type" of EliYahu. Notice the similarities with the angel's description of him to his father Zechariah in Luke: “he will go before him in the spirit and power of EliYahu, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children”. Also some Jews believe in reincarnation so you have that too...

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

Thanks Yeshua HaDerekh, this is the part I don't quite understand 'he has come but they didn't recognize him'

Was John the baptist Elijah ?

Also remember The Baptizer was killed before Yeshua was transfigured. Moshe was on one side while EliYahu was on the other...representing the Torah (Moshe) and the Nevi'im (EliYahu). I believe this happened during Sukkot. The Baptizer was a nazarite from birth...

 

[Always in His Presence]

John the Baptist was Elizabeth's (Mary's cousin), son - first Cousin to Jesus.