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Matthew 17:10

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 17:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
Matthew 17:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, save Jesus only.
9And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.
10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
11And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:
12but I say into you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.
13Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
← Matthew 17:9Matthew 17:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And his disciples asked him, saying, etc.] That is, these three, Peter, James, and John, before they came to the rest; whilst they were going down the mountain, or from it, to the place where the others were; for the rest knew nothing of the appearance of Elias, and so cannot be thought to join in a question concerning him. Why then say the Scribes, that Elias must first come? That is, come before the Messiah comes; for certain it is, that this was the sense of the Scribes, as it was of the ancient Jews, and is still the opinion of the modern ones. They say f947, “that in the second year of Ahaziah, Elias was hid; nor will he appear, till the Messiah comes; then he will appear, and will be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Mark 9:11-13. Why then say the scribes ... - The disciples appear to have been satisfied now that he was the Messiah. The transfiguration had taken away all their doubts, but they recollected that it was a common doctrine among the Jews that Elijah would appear before the Messiah came, and they did not then recollect that he had appeared. To this difficulty the word then refers. “We are satisfied that thou art the Christ, but Elijah has not yet come, as was expected; what, then, is the meaning of the common opinions of our learned men, the scribes? Were they right or wrong in their expectation of Elijah?” See the notes at Matthew 11:14. Matthew 17:11 Elias truly shall first come,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Why then say the scribes, that Elijah must come first - Before the Messiah? If no man is to know of his coming? Should we not rather tell every man, that he is come, and that we have seen him, witnessing to thee as the Messiah? Matthew 17:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:10-13 Elijah’s presence at the transfiguration prompted a question about the view that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (see Mal 4:5-6). In pointing to John the Baptist, Jesus reinforced the unexpected idea that the Messiah must suffer, even as his precursor had suffered (Matt 14:3-12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Why: Mat 17:3, Mat 17:4, Mat 11:14, Mat 27:47-49; Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6; Mar 9:11; Joh 1:21, Joh 1:25 Matthew 17:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification