Saturday, 31 January 2026 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:14 “And they said, ‘These, indeed, John the Immerser, and others Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus questioned His disciples concerning who men say He is. Matthew next records, “And they said, ‘These, indeed, John the Immerser.’” These words seem confused, just as with Herod’s words in Matthew 14:2, when he said, “This, he is John the Immerser! He, he is aroused from the dead, and through this the miracles work in him!” How could a person who is essentially the same age as John be John if John was only executed a relatively short time before? Two answers could fit. Either John was raised to life, appearing in a different form, or this is what is known as metempsychosis, or soul transmigration, where a soul can enter into another body. Whatever was on the minds of those who held to this view, they claimed that Jesus was John. Next, it says, “and others Elijah.” This belief was seen in some with the same mentality as that found in John 1 – “Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ 21 And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’ 22 Then they said to him, ‘Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?’” John 1:19-22 Based on the words of Malachi 4:5, there was the anticipation of Elijah returning to Israel. Jesus even said that John was Elijah to come in Matthew 11:14, meaning that he came to fulfill that promised role. This was the anticipation of the people of Israel, and so it was a logical extension of the communal thought that permeated the culture. When Jesus came, they thought, “This must be him!” Understanding that, Matthew continues with, “and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” There is a difference in the word “others” that is not evident in the translation. We have one word that must be further explained, whereas the Greek has two separate words. The first, allos, others, before “Elijah” means others of the same kind. This others, the word heteros, means others of another kind. In other words, there are those with the expectation of someone coming to fulfill Scripture. They didn’t understand that John the Immerser was the precursor of Jesus the Messiah. So both categories, defined by the word allos, were thinking about Elijah, directly or indirectly. On the other hand, the second group, defined by heteros, are just making unfounded guesses, without any scriptural support, as to who Jesus might be. Therefore, they have gone back to Jeremiah or some other prophet, seen a trait in that person as recorded in Scripture, and think he must have come back in the person of Jesus. Life application: Elijah didn’t die. He was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, as recorded in 2 Kings 2:11. Therefore, the Bible can say without any contradiction that Elijah will return. However, it is not the case with John the Immerser, who was beheaded. Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed for men to die once, after which comes the judgment. Moses appearing with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration does not mean that he has received the judgment and can now return again to be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. A point was being made about Jesus being the fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), as well as a point being made about Jesus having power over the living (Elijah) and the dead (Moses). When we die, the chance we have for restoration with God is finished. If we die in Christ, we will be raised to eternal life. If we die apart from Christ, we will be raised for condemnation. This is what the Bible proclaims. Don’t expect any loopholes for yourself or loved ones. Be sure to tell people about Jesus. But also be sure you are right with Jesus. This life is our chance to get the matter of Jesus settled. Lord God, help us to be wise and discerning in this life, not only with our own relationship with You, but also with those we interact with. Help us to share the good news of restoration with those we encounter while there is time. May this be our priority at all times. Amen.
