Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:11

What does Matthew 17:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:11 means

Jesus affirms the scribal teaching about Elijah's coming, acknowledging that Elijah indeed comes and will "restore all things." This statement confirms the validity of the prophecy concerning Elijah's preparatory role. While it points to a future fulfillment, it also sets up Jesus' subsequent clarification that an initial, significant fulfillment has already taken place in their midst, shaping their understanding of prophetic timing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in answer he said, Elijah truly has to come and put all things right:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus answering said to them, `Elijah doth indeed come first, and shall restore all things,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he answering said to them, Elias indeed comes first and will restore all things.

Context

This verse is Jesus' initial response to the disciples' question about Elijah's coming. It validates the Old Testament prophecy, confirming its truth. This affirmation acts as a bridge to the following verse, where Jesus will reveal how this prophecy has already been, in part, fulfilled through John the Baptist, clarifying the disciples' temporal understanding of prophecy.

v.10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?

v.11This passage

v.12but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

Cross references

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

  • Malachi 4:6

    And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

  • Luke 1:16

    And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.

  • Luke 3:3

    And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins;

  • Acts 3:21

    whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.

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