And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who was to come.
In this saying, Jesus presents John the Baptist as “Elijah,” who, according to Malachi’s prophecy, was to come before the Messiah’s coming. Malachi 4:5 says: “Behold, I will send Elijah to you before the coming of the great and fearful day of the Lord.” In Jewish traditions it was believed that Elijah would return and prepare the people for the Lord’s coming. Jesus clearly shows that John the Baptist is the messenger who fulfills the role of Elijah, because he comes ahead of Jesus and calls people to repentance. This saying is also a challenge to the listeners to accept that John’s mission and the Messiah’s coming are already being fulfilled. Jesus implies that those who are willing to receive John’s role in faith will understand the importance of his mission as the fulfillment of prophecy.