Matthew 17:12 (WEB)
but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
Catechism · 1
“John is "Elijah (who) must come."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 17:10-13; cf. Lk 1:78.
Fathers and councils · 18
Tertullian
“…John (the Baptist) as to make our Lord’s statement sponsor for their theory of transmigration, when He said, “Elias is come already, and they knew him not;” and again, in another passage, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 12.
Read the whole comment“Deservedly, therefore, even while in the flesh, did the Lord show Himself to him, the colleague of His own fasts, no less than to Elijah.” — editor's note: See Matt. xvii. 1–13; Mark ix. 1–13; Luke ix. 28–36.
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Justin Martyr
“Wherefore also our Christ said, [when He was] on earth, to those who were affirming that Elijah must come before Christ: ‘Elijah shall come, and restore all things; but I say unto you, that Elijah has already come, and they knew him not, but have done to him whatsoever they chose.’” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 12.
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Augustine of Hippo
“Wherefore did they do unto them “whatsoever they would”?” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 12.
Read the whole comment“This same passage is given also by Mark, who keeps also the same order; and although he exhibits some diversity of expression, he makes no departure from a truthful representation of the same sense.” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 10–13.
Read the whole comment“And the Lord said, “Elias is already come, and they have done unto him what they listed;” and, if you wish to know, John the Baptist is he.” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 10–13; Matt. xi. 14, Vulg.
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John Chrysostom
“Then they understood that He spake to them of John.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 12, 13.
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Leo the Great
“A Homily delivered on the Saturday before the Second Sunday in Lent—on the Transfiguration, S. Matt. xvii. 1–13” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
It was a tradition of the Pharisees following the Prophet Malachi, that Elias should come before the coming of the Saviour, and bring back the heart of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers,…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
The disciples knew not of the coming of Elias out of the Scriptures; but the Scribes made it known to them; and this report was current among the ignorant multitude, as was that concerning Christ. Yet the Scribes did…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; “He shall restore all things,” that is those whom the persecution of Antichrist shall have overthrown; as He Himself should restore by His death those whore He ought.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if there shall so much good arise out of the presence of Elias, why did He not send him at that time? We shall say, Because they then held Christ to be Elias, and yet believed not on Him. But they shall hereafter…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
He then who at the Saviour’s second coming should come in the truth of His body, come now in John in power and spirit. It followers, “And they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would,” that is, despised…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
As he announced the Lord’s coming, so he was also to foreshew His passion by the example of his own suffering and wrong; whence it follows, “So also shall the Son of Man suffer of them.”
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He takes the opportunity from the passion of John to refer to His own passion, thus giving them much comfort.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is enquired how, seeing that Herod and Herodias were they that killed John, it can be said that Jesus also was crucified by them, when we read that He was put to death by the Scribes and Pharisees! It must be…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
From the mention of His own passion which the Lord had often foretold to them, and from that of His forerunner, which they beheld already accomplished, the disciples perceived that John was set forth to them under…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
That He says of John, “Elias is already come,” is not to be understood of the soul of Elias, that we fall not into the doctrine of metempsychosis, which is foreign to the truth of Church doctrine, but, as the Angel…
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Cross-references · 19
Parallel passages
Matthew 17:12 and Mark 9:13 share the same wording (15 words).
Cited together with
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.58.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.58.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.58.
Cited together in Catechism §718.
Cited together in Catechism §718.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 49.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35.