Matthew 17:9–13: Elijah Must Come
Introduction
The conclusion of the transfiguration must have been disorienting. The three disciples had just seen their Master transformed magnificently, so that the veil of his humble servanthood did not obscure his glory for one brief moment. Not only that, but Moses and Elijah themselves had appeared to talk with Jesus. And then, as quickly as it began, all the glory vanished, and everything went back to normal. What had just happened? What sense could be made of what they had seen? While they may have imagined the vision as a signal of the beginning of Jesus’ unimpeded glory, Jesus instead reminds them of the significance of his suffering and death. By this, Jesus teaches us that we cannot see the glory of Jesus except through suffering.
Discussion Questions
1. How forcefully does Jesus insist that the three disciples must tell no one about what they had seen? What is the connection to their vision and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? What do you think that the disciples might have been asking when they inquired about the coming of Elijah? How does this conversation underscore the connection between Jesus’ glory and his sufferings and death?
2. To what degree were the scribes correct in their interpretation of the prophecy from Malachi 4:5–6? To what degree were the scribes incorrect? In what way, then, did Elijah “restore all things” at his first coming? In what way did Elijah suffer because of restoring all things? How does the suffering of Elijah foreshadow the sufferings that Jesus himself must undergo? How does this suggest a connection between suffering and glory in the whole Bible?
3. How precisely does John the Baptist fulfill the prophecy about Elijah from Malachi 4? If Jesus had already explained that John the Baptist was “Elijah who is to come” (Matt. 11:14), why do the disciples only now understand this (v. 13)? How does this connection help us to understand the way in which John the Baptist served as the forerunner to Jesus? What significance should we draw from the connection between John the Baptist and Jesus?
4. How often in Scripture does God demonstrate that he is neither limited, nor hindered, nor thwarted by suffering and death? How does God use the horrors of suffering and death (which come not by his creation, but only as a curse against sin) as a secret ingredient for our glory? Do you trust God to bring glory out of your suffering? If you did, how would your outlook change? How would your prayers change? Where do you need to trust him today?
