Here is my article on John the Baptist and Elijah
litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Was+John+the+Baptist+really+Elijah%3F
Here is a commentary by Theophylact on Matthew 11:11-15
**11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist. **He declares this with certainty, that there is no one greater than John. But by saying “born of women” He excludes Himself, for Christ was born of a virgin, not of a woman, that is, one who is married. **Notwithstanding, He that is younger is greater than he in the kingdom of heaven. **Since He has extolled the praises of John, lest they think that John is greater than He says here more clearly, I am the younger in age and the lesser in your opinion, yet I am greater than he in the kingdom of heaven, that is, in regards to spiritual and heavenly good things. For here I appear less than he, both because his birth preceded Mine and because he appears great to you, but there in the kingdom of heaven I am greater.
12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. It would seem that this does not follow the train of thought, but it does. Consider this: Christ, by saying of Himself that He is greater than John, strongly urges them to believe in Him, showing that many are by force acquiring the kingdom of heaven, that is, faith in Him. And there is need of great force, for in order to leave father and mother and to despise one’s own life, how much force is needed?
**13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. **This, too, follows the same train of thought. For He is saying, I am He that cometh, for all the prophets have been fulfilled. They would not have been fulfilled if I had not come. Therefore, await nothing further.
**14. And if ye will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come. **If you are willing, He says, to accept it, that is, if you judge the matter with a good disposition of mind, and not spitefully, he is the one whom the prophet Malachi called Elijah who was to come (Malachi 4:5. “And, behold, I will send to you Elijah the Tishbite before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes”). For both the Forerunner and Elijah have the same ministry. The one was the Forerunner of the first coming, while Elijah will be the forerunner of the second coming. Then, showing that it is an enigma that John is Elijah, and requires wisdom to understand it, He says:
15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Thus urging them to ask and to learn.
