Bible Strands
Matthew 17:10
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The disciples address Jesus immediately after He descends from the mountain and commands them to keep the vision secret until His resurrection. They pose a direct question regarding the scribes' teaching that Elijah must precede the Messiah.
The words — The Greek verb ἐπηρώτησαν (epērōtēsan) translates literally to "asked," marking the disciples' active inquiry. The conjunction καί (kai) links this question to the preceding command, structuring the narrative transition from revelation to follow-up.
The thread — This question directly invokes Malachi 4:5, which promises Elijah's arrival before the Day of the LORD, and aligns with Mark 9:11, which records the identical inquiry in a parallel account. Jesus later addresses the scribal expectation in Matthew 11:14, identifying John the Baptist as the figure who fulfills that prophetic role.
Why it lands — The text records the disciples confronting a gap between established scribal tradition and the immediate reality of Jesus' ministry. It requires a reader to examine how prophetic timelines are reinterpreted rather than abandoned when the promised events unfold.
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 his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first 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.
- Matthew 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
- Mark 9:11 And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- John 1:21 “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
- Matthew 17:3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
- Matthew 27:47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”
- John 1:25 asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”