Matthew 17 12

Matthew 17:12 kjv

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Matthew 17:12 nkjv

But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."

Matthew 17:12 niv

But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

Matthew 17:12 esv

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands."

Matthew 17:12 nlt

But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn't recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer."

Matthew 17 verses

Matthew 17 12 Meaning

This verse declares that the prophetic return of Elijah has already occurred in the person of John the Baptist, though many failed to recognize him, and he suffered greatly at their hands. Jesus then draws a direct parallel, prophesying that just as John suffered, the Son of Man (referring to Himself) will also suffer at the hands of the very people who rejected Elijah's spiritual successor. It links the past suffering of John with Jesus' own impending passion, highlighting a pattern of rejection faced by God's messengers.

Matthew 17 12 Context

This verse follows the miraculous Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, where Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. As they descended, the disciples, still awestruck, inquired why the scribes taught that Elijah must come first (Matt 17:10). Jesus first affirms that Elijah indeed comes to restore all things (Matt 17:11), acknowledging the prophecy's validity. He then reveals that this prophecy had already found its fulfillment in John the Baptist, although unrecognised. This revelation reinterprets the common Jewish expectation of Elijah's pre-Messianic coming, which anticipated a dramatic and public appearance leading to national repentance and the ushering in of the Messianic age in power and glory. Jesus corrects this understanding by showing the fulfillment to be in suffering and rejection, foreshadowing His own path. The historical context reflects a time where fervent Messianic expectations often clashed with the reality of Jesus' humble, suffering ministry.

Matthew 17 12 Word analysis

• But I say to you: This authoritative phrase (ἀπὸ δέ λέγω ὑμῖν - apò dé légō humin) marks Jesus' direct teaching and revelation, often used by Him to establish new understanding or reinterpret existing beliefs (compare Matt 5:21-48, "But I say to you"). It implies a deeper truth being disclosed to His disciples beyond popular interpretation.
• that Elijah has come already: The Greek uses the perfect tense, ἐλήλυθεν (elēlythen), emphasizing a past action with present results, reinforcing that John's ministry fulfilled the prophecy. This directly confronts the disciples' expectation of a future Elijah based on the scribes' teachings, stating the fulfillment happened in an unexpected way.
• and they did not know him: Greek οὐκ ἔγνωσαν αὐτόν (ouk egnōsan autón) - literally, "they did not know him." This points to a failure of recognition and spiritual discernment among the people, particularly the religious authorities. They failed to perceive John's true prophetic identity and role, blinded by their preconceived notions of what Elijah should look like.
• but did to him whatever they wished: This refers to the hostile treatment, rejection, and ultimately, the unjust execution of John the Baptist by Herod, influenced by Herodias and public opinion. The phrase ὅσα ἠθέλησαν (hosa ēthelēsan - as much as they wished) signifies unchecked human will acting against God's appointed messenger.
• Even so: The Greek οὕτως (houtōs) introduces a powerful analogy and parallel consequence. It signifies that the pattern of rejection and suffering applied to John the Baptist will now apply directly to Jesus Himself.
• the Son of Man: Jesus' most frequent self-designation, used almost exclusively by Him. In Greek, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (ho huios tou anthrōpou), referencing Daniel 7:13-14, implying both His human vulnerability and divine authority. Here, it explicitly connects His identity with a path of suffering, contrasting with Daniel's vision of a glorious, triumphant figure—revealing the necessary pre-requisite of suffering.
• is going to suffer: μέλλει πάσχειν (mellei paschein) uses the infinitive πάσχειν (paschein - to suffer), indicating a definite future event. The verb encompasses physical agony, emotional distress, and rejection. This declaration further deepens the disciples' understanding (or lack thereof) of Jesus' Messianic role.
• at their hands: ὑπʼ αὐτῶν (hyp' autōn) - literally, "by them." This refers to the same group implied by "they" who did not know John and did to him whatever they wished – specifically the Jewish leadership and potentially the Roman authorities, acting as instruments of their rejection. It emphasizes human agency in the unfolding divine plan of suffering.

Matthew 17 12 Bonus section

This verse implicitly challenges the rigid, literalistic interpretation of prophecy prevalent among some Jewish teachers of the time. While Malachi foretold Elijah's coming, Jesus indicates that the fulfillment might be spiritual or typological, rather than a physical reappearance of the prophet from centuries past. This reinterpretation foreshadows a recurring theme in the New Testament: many Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in unexpected, less outwardly spectacular ways, requiring spiritual discernment to recognize. It emphasizes that divine plans often unfold through sacrifice and suffering before leading to ultimate glory, a truth counter-intuitive to human expectations of triumph without tribulation.

Matthew 17 12 Commentary

Matthew 17:12 clarifies the identity of the expected Elijah, linking the prophecy of Malachi to John the Baptist. Jesus reveals that John, though not explicitly called Elijah by others, embodied Elijah's spirit and prophetic role, particularly in his call to repentance and confrontation of sin. The failure of the Jewish people and their leaders to recognize and accept John led to his imprisonment and martyrdom, an act driven by their own unchecked desires rather than divine will. This rejection of God's forerunner sets a clear precedent for the rejection and suffering that the Messiah Himself, the Son of Man, will face. The verse highlights a profound pattern in redemptive history: God sends His messengers, they are often unrecognized or resisted by those who prefer their own understanding, and this resistance frequently leads to the messenger's suffering or demise. This prophetic connection thus served as a somber preparation for the disciples regarding Jesus' inevitable passion, showing that His suffering was not an accident, but a pre-ordained part of His redemptive mission, echoing the fate of faithful prophets who came before Him.