Matthew 17:11-13 vs. John 1:21

[DoGood2ALL]

Why is it that in Matthew 17:11-13 the disciples realize that John the Baptist was Elijah yet in John 1:21 John the Baptist denies being Elijah? Also who is Elijah? Is he connected to the Elijah from the Old Testament?

God Bless and Thank You
Val Stoia

[Cliewdea]

i believe so, i believe that the Elijah they are talking about is Elijah the profit, who in fact is from the old testament. its kind of interesting, these two texts, i'm talking an intro to the new testament class, and it goes into detail on where these texts came from, but yes, i do believe its the Elijah from the old testament

[DoGood2ALL]

but if he was from the Old Testament why were they asking John if he was Elijah? If the man already had lived and died why would they think John was Elijah?

[thebishop]

Elijah did not die, he was taken up to heaven.

Originally posted by val stoia
but if he was from the Old Testament why were they asking John if he was Elijah? If the man already had lived and died why would they think John was Elijah?

[meesh]

i have heard in some studies....that it is supposed to be tied into the last days message to the world. ....but i dont know much more than what i heard, which was not much..........