Today's gospel reading, re: John the Baptist and Elijah

[JezuUfamTobie]

Can somebody please help me understand the gospel reading for today? Surely the disciples did not think that John was the reincarnation of Elijah… so what does it mean when Christ mentions Elijah already came and “the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist”?

Thanks!

 

[Della]

Jesus was referring to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi:

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and… all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch… And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts… Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” -Malachi 4:1-5

He was saying that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy.

 

[richardeekw]

Repeat my comments in the "Reincarnation " thread.
John 1:21​

A teaching from Dr Scott Hahn and his team.

Jn 1:21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, "No."

• Why would the Jerusalem authorities ask if John was Elijah?
• How can John deny he is Elijah when Jesus says John was the Elijah who was to come?
• What do the authorities mean by asking John if he is “the prophet”?

.Some non Christian religions/New Agers interpret this as the reincarnation of Elijah as John the Baptist)

Malachi 4:5-6 said that God would send Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord. Some were under the impression that Elijah himself would return from heaven. John denies being Elijah returned from heaven. However, Jesus says John was the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:13-14). That is, he comes (as Elisha did) in the spirit and power of Elijah bringing to a close the preparatory prophetic line of which Elijah is the archetype

**cf. Lk 1:17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord

The authorities ask if John is “the prophet” because they believed that Moses had prophesied the coming an Ultimate Prophet (of whom the Old Testament prophets were foreshadows) who would appear at the end of the age. Jesus, not John, is “the Prophet.”

John the Baptist is who we understand as the “last Prophet” proclaiming the comming of the Messiah.

God Bless

 

[Grace_Angel]

Jesus was referring to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi:

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and… all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch… And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts… Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” -Malachi 4:1-5

He was saying that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy.

Well answered Della, I was thinking of that scripture also. I believe that it also means that John the Baptist came and spoke in the power and maybe even style of Elijah and the people should have remembered but didnt.
I am reminded of a coarsened society (similar to today) when we do not hear the words of the prophets (The Holy Father chief of the prophets).
The Holy Father (irrespective of which one it is) is at times referred to as “Peter” that does not mean that he is the re incarnation of Peter but that he governs in the power and spirit of Peter who is protected and shielded by the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Father declares on faith and morals, he cannot make a mistake. He cannot lead the church into error. on day to day matters we hope he is filled with wisdom, but he can make a mistake.
“Peter” never rejects Jesus again (as at that time before the cricifixion), or the teachings of Jesus, this is why the Magisterium headed by Peter is government by God.
Sorry I seemed to digressed. I apologise, but it was a strong thought and my fingers flew as I was writing.
God Bless
Grace Angel
:angel1: