John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 17:12 - 17:12

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John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 17:12 - 17:12


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Mat 17:12. Δὲ, but) He teaches that there is not only no inconsistency, but also an actual congruity, between the coming; of Elias and the death of the Messiah.-οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτὸν, they knew him not) although Jesus (Mat 11:14) had openly told it them.[785]-ὅσα ἐθέλησαν, whatsoever they listed[786]) The death of John is not ascribed to Herod alone; cf. Gnomon on ch. Mat 14:9. Jesus asserts that Elias has come in the person of John the Baptist; John denies it; both truly, if you compare these apparently conflicting statements with the questions to which they were replies. The Jews asked John, whether he were Elias (cf. ch. Mat 27:49)-he, that is to say, who was to come before the second advent, or great and terrible day of the Lord. John therefore replies in the negative. The disciples, comparing the opinion of the Scribes with the discourses of Christ, and endeavouring to reconcile them together, fancied that Elijah the Tishbite would come before the first advent; therefore Jesus replies, that he[787] has already come in the person of John the Baptist.[788]

[785] The world either altogether disbelieves the truth, or else, clinging to mere expectations, refuses to believe the actual fulfilment itself.-V. g.

[786] Whatsoever they listed, and that too owing to their evil and wanton lust. It is this very blind perversity of the world which causes the necessity that one must burst through so many obstacles to a good cause. It not seldom happens, that one who has effected some good, waits in expectation of most splendid recompences from the world on that account. But the man who knows God, the world, and himself, cannot long persist in such an expectation. The merits which receive remuneration of this kind are not spiritual, but worldly.-V. g.

[787] i.e., The Elias, who was appointed to precede the first advent.-ED.

[788] Mat 17:13. περὶ Ἰωάννον, concerning John) not concerning that Elias, or Elijah, whom they had seen, as recorded in Mat 17:3.-V. g.