John Calvin Commentary Matthew 17:10

"And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?" — Matthew 17:10 (ASV)

And his disciples asked him, saying. No sooner is the resurrection mentioned than the disciples imagine that the reign of Christ has commenced;⁴⁸² for they explain this word to mean that the world would acknowledge him as the Messiah. That they imagined the resurrection to be something totally different from what Christ meant is evident from what Mark states: they disputed with each other what was the meaning of that expression which he had used, To rise from the dead.

Perhaps, too, they were already under the influence of that dream, now held as an undoubted oracle among the Rabbis, that there would be a first and a second coming of the Messiah. In the first, he would be lowly and despised, but this would be shortly afterward followed by his royal dignity. Indeed, there is some plausibility to that error, for it springs from a true principle.

The Scripture, too, speaks of a first and a second coming of the Messiah, for it promises that he will be a Redeemer, to expiate by his sacrifice the sins of the world.⁴⁸³ Such is the import of the following prophecies:

Rejoice, daughter of Zion, behold, thy King cometh, poor, sitting on an ass, (Zechariah 9:9).

We beheld him, and he had no form or beauty, and he resembled a leper, so that we had no esteem for him, (Isaiah 53:3–4).

Again, Scripture represents him as victorious over death, and as subjecting all things to his dominion. But we see how the Rabbis corrupt the pure word of God by their inventions; and as everything was greatly corrupted in the time of our Lord, it is probable that the people had also embraced this foolish notion.

Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? The gross mistakes they committed regarding the person of Elijah have been pointed out on two or three occasions.⁴⁸⁴

Perhaps, too, they cunningly and wickedly endeavored to lessen the authority of Christ by bringing forward Elijah. For as it had been promised that Elijah would come as the forerunner of Messiah, to prepare the way before him (Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5), it was easy to excite a prejudice against Christ by saying that he came unaccompanied by Elijah.

By a trick closely resembling this, the devil enchants the Papists of the present day not to expect the day of judgment until Elijah and Enoch have appeared.⁴⁸⁵ It may reasonably be conjectured that this expedient was purposely resorted to by the scribes to represent Christ as unworthy of confidence, because he lacked the legitimate badge of the Messiah.

⁴⁸² “Ils imaginent que c’est l’entree du regne de Christ, et leur semble qu’ils y sont desia;” — “they imagine that it is the commencement of the kingdom of Christ, and think that they are already in it.”;” — “they imagine that it is the commencement of the kingdom of Christ, and think that they are already in it.”

⁴⁸³ “Faisant par son sacrifice satisfaction pour les pechez du monde;” — “making satisfaction by his sacrifice for the sins of the world.”;” — “making satisfaction by his sacrifice for the sins of the world.”

⁴⁸⁴ Among other passages in which our Author has treated of the erroneous notions entertained by the Jews respecting Elijah, the reader may consult his Commentary on John , the reader may consult his Commentary on John 1:21, , 25. — . — Ed..

⁴⁸⁵ “Iusques a ce qu’on voye Elie et Henoch retourner en ce monde;” — “till Elijah and Enoch are seen returning to this world.”;” — “till Elijah and Enoch are seen returning to this world.”