The Jewish scribes were right that Elijah would come, but they misunderstood Malachi’s prophecy, thinking that the prophet would come from heaven in his own person, bringing not only spiritual restoration, but also a political one. The people as a whole did not see John the Baptist as the promised Elijah, as the herald of the Messiah (Matthew 3:7, Matthew 11:16–19,Matthew 14:1–11, Matthew 21:32), although some were baptized by him (Matthew 3:6, Matthew 21:32; Luke 1:16). The suffering herald would be followed by a suffering Messiah. Israel rejected Jesus (see John 1:11), and also did not believe his forerunner, asserting authority over him, and eventually did to him whatever they pleased
(Matthew 17:12): killed him. The fact that it was Herod who actually ordered his death did not excuse them, because like him, Israel also rejected John’s testimony.
The Jewish scribes were right in saying that Elijah would come, but they fundamentally misunderstood the prophecy of Malachi. They wrongly believed the prophet would descend from heaven in his own person and would bring about not only a religious-moral restoration, but also a political one. The people as a whole therefore failed to acknowledge John the Baptist as the promised Elijah, as the herald of the Messiah (Matthew 3:7, Matthew 11:16–19, Matthew 14:1–11, Matthew 21:32), even though some did allow themselves to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:6, Matthew 21:32; Luke 1:16). This suffering forerunner would be followed by a suffering Messiah.1
Just as Israel rejected Jesus (see John 1:11), so the people also failed to acknowledge his forerunner. The people asserted their own authority over him and, when it suited them, did to him whatever they pleased,
(Matthew 17:12): in other words, killed him. That Herod was the one who actually ordered the murder does not negate this, because like him, Israel also did not believe John’s testimony. Since John was indeed the promised Elijah that had been put to death, the disciples can expect nothing else than that the Jews will also persecute the Son of Man.2
11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things.