Meaning of Matthew 17:10

This verse records a question posed by Jesus' disciples to him following the Transfiguration, a pivotal event where Jesus was seen in glory with Moses and Elijah. The disciples' query, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" directly addresses a theological expectation prevalent among Jewish religious leaders of the time. This expectation was rooted in the prophetic tradition, specifically the promise in Malachi 4:5 that the prophet Elijah would return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." The disciples, witnessing Jesus' divine manifestation, were grappling with how this event fit into their understanding of prophecy, particularly the foretold coming of Elijah as a precursor to a messianic era or a significant divine intervention. Their question reflects a desire to reconcile the extraordinary experience they had just had with the established teachings and prophecies they had learned.

Context and Background

The immediate context is the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain where he is transfigured, his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with him. After this awe-inspiring event, as they descend, Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after he had risen from the dead. It is in this atmosphere of divine revelation and lingering wonder that the disciples recall a common teaching from the Scribes and Pharisees regarding the role of Elijah. This teaching was a well-established interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies, particularly Malachi 4:5-6, which states: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the disciples' understanding of prophecy and the Messiah. They are trying to fit Jesus' current actions and the revelatory experience of the Transfiguration into their existing framework of Messianic expectation. This highlights the gap between human interpretation and divine fulfillment. The teachers of the law had a specific interpretation of Elijah's role, and the disciples, adhering to that teaching, are confused by its apparent absence in the Transfiguration event. Another key message is the importance of Jesus' identity. The disciples' question implicitly asks how Elijah's predicted coming relates to Jesus' own ministry and divine nature, which they are beginning to glimpse.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage offers several spiritual insights. Firstly, it emphasizes that divine revelation often transcends human theological constructs. While the disciples' question was sincere and based on their learned understanding, the reality of Jesus' divine identity and mission went beyond their immediate comprehension. Secondly, it points to the need for continued learning and re-evaluation in faith. The disciples' question is not a sign of doubt but of a genuine desire for deeper understanding. It encourages believers to engage with scripture and to be open to new insights that may challenge or refine their existing beliefs, especially as they encounter God's work in new ways. Finally, it underscores the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. The disciples are looking for a fulfillment of prophecy according to a specific timeline and sequence, but God's plan unfolds in its own perfect time.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a crucial link in the unfolding narrative of Jesus as the Messiah. The disciples' question directly anticipates the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Elijah. Later in Matthew (17:10-13), Jesus answers their question, explaining that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, who fulfilled his role in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the way for Jesus. This demonstrates Jesus' authority over prophecy and his ability to fulfill it in unexpected ways. It also sets the stage for understanding John the Baptist's ministry not just as a standalone event but as a divinely ordained precursor to Jesus' own.

Analogies

One analogy for this situation is like a student who has learned a specific method for solving a complex mathematical problem. When the teacher presents a new, more elegant, or even unconventional solution, the student might ask, "But how does this fit with the method we were taught?" The student's question isn't a rejection of the new solution but a desire to understand its relationship to their existing knowledge. Similarly, the disciples were trying to reconcile the "new" revelation of Jesus' glory with the "old" established teachings they knew.

Another analogy could be that of a seasoned chef who has always followed a particular recipe. Then, a renowned culinary innovator presents a dish using similar ingredients but prepared in a completely different, and arguably superior, way. A curious apprentice might ask, "But the traditional method dictates..." This highlights how established traditions can sometimes obscure or be surpassed by new, divinely inspired understanding.

Relation to Other Verses

• Malachi 4:5-6: This is the direct prophetic source of the disciples' question. Jesus' later explanation in Matthew 17:11-13 explicitly links John the Baptist to Elijah, fulfilling this prophecy.
• Matthew 11:14: Jesus himself states, "And if you are willing to accept it, he [John the Baptist] is Elijah who is to come." This is a direct confirmation of the fulfillment the disciples were seeking clarification on.
• Mark 9:11-13 & Luke 9:30-37: These parallel passages in the other synoptic Gospels also record the disciples' question and Jesus' subsequent explanation regarding Elijah.
• John the Baptist's Ministry (e.g., Luke 1:17): John's own mission is described as going "before him in the spirit and power of Elijah," underscoring the prophetic connection.