Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:10

What does Matthew 17:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:10 means

Puzzled by Jesus' instruction to keep the vision secret until His resurrection, the disciples raise a question about the scribes' teaching that Elijah must first come. This query reflects their understanding of Old Testament prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6) and their struggle to reconcile it with what they just witnessed and Jesus' anticipated suffering. They are trying to fit the divine revelation into their existing theological framework.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his disciples, questioning him, said, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And his disciples questioned him, saying, `Why then do the scribes say that Elijah it behoveth to come first?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [his] disciples demanded of him saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first have come?

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' command of silence until His resurrection. It shows the disciples attempting to synthesize this new revelation with existing prophetic expectations. Their question about Elijah sets the stage for Jesus' clarification concerning John the Baptist's role, linking Old Testament prophecy to contemporary events and Jesus' own suffering.

v.9And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.

v.10This passage

v.11And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:

Cross references

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

  • John 1:21

    And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

  • Matthew 17:3

    And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.

  • Matthew 27:47

    And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.

  • Mark 9:11

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

  • Matthew 11:14

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

  • Malachi 4:5

    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.

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