Matthew 11:13–19 (ESV) — 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until
John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah
who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children
sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a
demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they
say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and
sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
NOTE: What is Jesus
saying? Is John the Baptist the prophesied Elijah or is he still to come? Well,
it depends on Israel's response. If they accept him, which the next passage
shows they will not, then John was Elijah, but if they reject him, then Elijah
is still to come. John the Baptist fulfilled two of three of the major
prophecies. The third one, that the hearts of the people would turn, was not
fulfilled. Israel remained stubborn. Israel did not accept Jesus, but rather
rejected him. Israel is portrayed as a child who cannot be satisfied, and so
Israel's salvation is still to come, and Elijah is still to come. Jesus knew
the response, but he gave the nation the free will to choose.
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