Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:14

What does Matthew 11:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:14 means

Jesus explicitly stated that if the people were willing to accept it, John the Baptist was indeed Elijah, who was prophesied to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). This identification confirms John's role as the forerunner, fulfilling a key Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah's arrival. The qualification "if ye are willing to receive it" suggests that this truth required spiritual discernment and a receptive heart, as it challenged some conventional expectations about Elijah's return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if you are able to see it, this is Elijah who was to come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if ye are willing to receive <FI>it<Fi> , he is Elijah who was about to come;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, who is to come.

Context

This verse builds directly on the previous statements about John's pivotal role, offering a profound identification. Jesus makes the startling declaration that John is the promised Elijah, but prefaces it with a call for receptivity. This challenges the audience to truly grasp John's significance within prophetic history and sets the stage for a concluding admonition.

v.13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

v.14This passage

v.15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 3:10

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thy heart, and hear with thine ears.

  • Ezekiel 2:5

    And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

  • John 16:12

    I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

  • Mark 9:11

    And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?

  • Revelation 20:4

    And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:2

    I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;

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