Bible Strands
Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his immediate audience regarding John the Baptist, positioning the statement between a declaration on the Law's fulfillment and a summons to heed his teaching.
The words — εἰ (ei) = if and θέλετε (thelete) = you are willing frame the declaration as a conditional invitation, making the identification contingent on the listener's posture.
The thread — Malachi 4:5 establishes the expectation of Elijah's return, while Mark 9:11 and Matthew 17:10 record the disciples asking why the scribes taught that Elijah must come first.
Why it lands — The text demands a conscious acceptance of Jesus' claim about John, requiring the reader to recognize that understanding the prophecy depends on willingness rather than passive observation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Cross-references
- Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
- Mark 9:11 And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- Matthew 17:10 The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
- John 1:21 “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
- Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- 1 Corinthians 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
- Ezekiel 3:10 “Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully to all the words I speak to you, and take them to heart.
- Revelation 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.