Matthew 11:14

“And if ye will receive it, etc.] The words carry in them some suspicion of unbelief and hardness of heart, as though they would not receive it: however, whether they would or not, it was a certain truth, that this same person, “John the Baptist”, is Elias, which was for to come; who was appointed by God to come, and was prophesied of (<390405>Malachi 4:5) that he should come; and even according to the doctrine of the Scribes and Rabbins, he was expected to come before the Messiah; only they in general thought that Elijah the Tishbite, in person, was meant; though some, as before observed f682, were of opinion, that some great prophet equal to Elijah, and endued with the same spirit, is…”

“If ye will receive it - This is a mode of speaking implying that the doctrine which he was about to state was different from their common views; that he was about to state something which varied from the common expectation, and which therefore they might be disposed to reject. This is Elias ... - That is, “Elijah.” Elias is the “Greek” mode of writing the Hebrew word “Elijah.” An account of him is found in the first and second books of Kings. He was a distinguished prophet, and was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, 2 Kings 2:11. The prophet Malachi Malachi 4:5-6 predicted that “Elijah” would be sent before the coming of the Messiah to prepare the way for him. By this was evidently…”

“Mal 4:5. Matthew 11:15”

“11:14-15 Elijah, the one the prophets said would come: John is the fulfillment of Old Testament expectations of Elijah’s return (17:10-13; see Mal 4:5).”

“if: Eze 2:5, Eze 3:10, Eze 3:11; Joh 16:12; Co1 3:2 this: Mat 17:10-13; Mal 4:5; Mar 9:11-13; Luk 1:17; Joh 1:21-23; Rev 20:4 Matthew 11:15”