Elijah and John the Baptist

[Josho]

I was reading about the transfiguration on the mount last night, and im just wondering, what does the last few verses of Matthew 17 really mean? From what i read it sounds like Elijah reborn as John the Baptist, but i don't think that's what Jesus really meant.

Matthew 17:10-13New King James Version (NKJV)
10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first[SIZE=.625em][a][/SIZE] and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

 

[dadman]

I'm not sure if I can explain this but I'll give it a shot .... Every major move of God has its herald .. ie: John the Baptist via the arrival of Jesus ...
If the Jews at that time would have believed in Jesus, then John the Baptist would have indeed been that "Elijah" ....
However they did not believe and John therefore was not that hearted for the coming Kingdom ....
The coming Kingdom will indeed arrive and it will have its herald ... To me possibly the two witnesses, see Rev 11

for more study hear audio via Pastor/teacher John MacArthur on this passage of Matthew 17

the study of the Word of God .... a life long experience ... Blesssings to my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus christ