Mat 16:14, 17:10, Joh 1:21 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 14. And they said , etc. . They supposed he might be John the Baptist, as Herod did, risen from the dead. See . He performed many miracles, and strongly resembled John in his manner of life, and in the doctrines which he taught. (m) "they said"

Matthew 16:14

Verse 14. And they said, etc. Mt 11:14. They supposed he might be John the Baptist, as Herod did, risen from the dead. See Mt 14:2. He performed many miracles, and strongly resembled John in his manner of life, and in the doctrines which he taught.

(m) "they said" Mt 14:2, Lk 9:7-9

Matthew 17:10

Verses 10-13. See also Mk 9:11-13. Why then say the Scribes, etc. The disciples appear to have been satisfied now, that he was the Messiah. The transfiguration had taken away all their doubts. But they recollected that it was a common doctrine among the Jews that Elijah should appear before the Messiah came; and they did not then recollect that he had appeared. To this difficulty the word then refers. "We are satisfied that thou art the Christ. But Elijah is not yet come, as was expected. What, 'then,' is the meaning of the common opinions of our learned men, the scribes? Were they right or wrong in their expectation of Elijah?" Mt 11:14.

(n) "Why then" Mal 4:5,6, Mt 11:14

John 1:21

Verse 21. Art thou Elias? This is the Greek way of writing Elijah. The Jews expected that Elijah would appear before the Messiah came. Mt 11:14. They supposed that it would be the real Elijah returned from heaven. In this sense John denied that he was Elijah; but he did not deny that he was the Elias or Elijah which the prophet intended (Mt 3:3), for he immediately proceeds to state (Jn 1:23) that he was sent, as it was predicted that Elijah would be, to prepare the way of the Lord; so that, while he corrected their false notions about Elijah, he so clearly stated to them his true character that they might understand that he was really the one predicted as Elijah.

That prophet. It is possible that the Jews supposed that not only Elijah would reappear before the coming of the Messiah, but also Jeremiah. Mt 16:14. Some have supposed, however, that this question has reference to the prediction of Moses in De 18:15.

(2) "that prophet" or, "a prophet"