Matthew 11 14

Matthew 11:14 kjv

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Matthew 11:14 nkjv

And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 11:14 niv

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Matthew 11:14 esv

and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 11:14 nlt

And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 14 Meaning

Matthew 11:14 proclaims that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy concerning Elijah's return before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus explicitly states that if people are receptive and spiritually discern this truth, they will recognize John as the prophetic forerunner, not necessarily Elijah literally reincarnated, but in his spirit and power, preparing the way for the Lord.

Matthew 11 14 Context

Matthew Chapter 11 describes a pivotal moment where Jesus begins to clarify the nature of His ministry and the Kingdom of Heaven, particularly in response to John the Baptist's imprisonment and questioning. John, from prison, sends his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Jesus answers by listing His miraculous works (healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching good news to the poor) and then declares a blessing upon those who do not take offense at Him. This leads directly into Jesus' public affirmation of John the Baptist's profound significance. Jesus describes John as more than a prophet, indeed the very messenger prophesied in Malachi 3:1. Following this, verse 14 makes the direct statement about John being the prophetic Elijah. The broader historical context includes the widespread Jewish expectation, based on Malachi 4:5-6, that Elijah the prophet would return literally before the Messiah's advent. Many scribes and religious leaders adhered to a rigid, literal interpretation of this prophecy. Jesus' statement here implicitly corrects or redefines that expectation, revealing that the prophecy was fulfilled in the role and spirit of John the Baptist, rather than a physical reincarnation of Elijah himself, highlighting the spiritual discernment needed to grasp God's plan.

Matthew 11 14 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A common conjunction that serves to connect this statement to Jesus' previous discourse on John the Baptist's unparalleled greatness, specifically from verse 10 where Jesus identifies John as the messenger.

• if (εἰ - ei): This conditional particle introduces a hypothetical or a present condition. It implies a choice, a willingness, and spiritual receptivity on the part of the hearers. It signals that acknowledging John as Elijah is not universally accepted but depends on one's openness.

• you are willing (θέλετε - thelete): From the Greek verb thelo, meaning "to will," "to desire," "to choose." It signifies a conscious and active disposition of the heart and mind, a readiness to receive or accept. It's not mere intellectual assent but a spiritual willingness to embrace God's revealed truth. This contrasts with the unbelief shown by many contemporaries.

• to accept it (δέξασθαι - dexasthai): From the Greek verb dechomai, meaning "to receive," "to welcome," "to embrace." It implies taking something in fully, with understanding and acknowledgment. In this context, it means to acknowledge John's role as the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy, to welcome this truth into one's understanding and belief. It indicates discernment, rather than simply hearing information.

• he (αὐτός - autos): Refers directly to John the Baptist, identifying him as the subject of this profound statement.

• is (ἐστιν - estin): A clear, unambiguous declaration in the present tense from the verb eimi ("to be"). This "is" denotes an unequivocal identification, asserting John's true prophetic role and identity as seen by God.

• Elijah (Ἠλίας - Hēlias): The renowned Old Testament prophet, whose literal return was expected based on Malachi 4:5. Jesus reinterprets the prophecy, affirming that its essence—Elijah's spirit and preparatory ministry—was present in John. This signifies a fulfillment of prophecy that goes beyond a strictly literal re-appearance.

• who is to come (ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι - ho mellōn erchesthai): This Greek participial phrase uses mello ("to be about to") combined with erchesthai ("to come"). It points specifically to the prophetic expectation found in Malachi 4:5-6: "I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD." It highlights John's divinely appointed role as the last and greatest Old Testament prophet, preceding the Messiah.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And if you are willing to accept it": This phrase underlines human responsibility and the prerequisite of spiritual readiness. It implies that understanding this truth is not automatic but requires a receptive heart and discernment. Many did not accept it due to preconceived notions of what Elijah's return would look like or due to their rejection of John's message and, consequently, Jesus'.
  • "he is Elijah who is to come": This is a powerful and direct declaration by Jesus, asserting that John fulfills the most significant prophecy regarding the Messiah's forerunner. It redefines the Jewish expectation of Elijah, showing that the prophecy was fulfilled through the role and spirit of John, aligning with Luke 1:17's angel message about John operating "in the spirit and power of Elijah." It also differentiates this spiritual fulfillment from John's own denial of being literally Elijah in John 1:21.

Matthew 11 14 Bonus section

The seemingly contradictory statement of John in Jn 1:21 ("Are you Elijah? And he said, 'I am not.'") versus Jesus' affirmation here is not a contradiction but a nuance in prophetic fulfillment. John denied being Elijah in a literal, reincarnated sense, or perhaps as the Elias many Jews expected (a nationalistic, miracle-working prophet directly ushering in a political kingdom). Jesus, however, spoke from God's divine perspective of prophetic history, affirming that John truly performed the preparatory role prophesied for Elijah. John fulfilled the prophecy by acting "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Lk 1:17), turning hearts to God and preparing the way for the Lord. This distinction is vital for understanding how God's word is fulfilled in history, often surprising those with narrow expectations. This acceptance ("willing to accept it") implies moving beyond mere literalism to grasp the spiritual and teleological purpose of prophecy within God's unfolding plan.

Matthew 11 14 Commentary

Matthew 11:14 stands as a critical verse where Jesus unveils a profound truth about prophetic fulfillment. By declaring John the Baptist as the "Elijah who is to come," Jesus clarifies the manner in which divine prophecy operates. The expectation of Elijah's return was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, stemming from Malachi 4:5. However, this verse reveals that God's fulfillment can transcend rigid human interpretations, occurring not necessarily as a literal reappearance but through a person who embodies the spirit and power of the prophet, fulfilling the preparatory role.

The conditional phrase, "if you are willing to accept it," is crucial. It highlights that acknowledging this truth demands spiritual discernment and a receptive heart. It implies a conscious decision to lay aside preconceived notions and embrace God's work as it truly unfolds, rather than as expected. Many rejected both John and Jesus precisely because their understanding of prophecy was too literal or too narrow, failing to recognize God's redemptive work right before their eyes. John prepared the way for the Lord by calling people to repentance and baptizing them, signifying a new covenant approach to righteousness and anticipating the Messiah's work. Jesus, in this verse, therefore, affirms John's essential place in God's saving plan, as the concluding and culminating prophet of the Old Covenant, directly introducing the New. This verse reminds us that true understanding of God's Word requires an open and humble spirit, ready to "accept" divine revelation, even when it challenges prior assumptions.