SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:14
Y si queris recibir, l es aquel Elías que había de venir.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:14
Verse 14. This is Elias, which was for to come.] This should always be written Elijah, that as strict a conformity as possible might be kept up between the names in the Old Testament and the New. The Prophet Malachi, who predicted the coming of the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah, gave the three following distinct characteristics of him. First, That he should be the forerunner and messenger of the Messiah: Behold I send my messenger before me, Mal. iii. 1. Secondly, That he should appear before the destruction of the second temple: Even the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, ibid. Thirdly, That he should preach repentance to the Jews; and that, some time after, the great and terrible day of the Lord should come, and the Jewish land be smitten with a curse, Mal. iv. 5, 6. Now these three characters agree perfectly with the conduct of the Baptist, and what shortly followed his preaching, and have not been found in any one else; which is a convincing proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And if ye will receive it , etc.] The words carry in them some suspicion of unbelief and hardness of heart, as though they would not receive it: however, whether they would or not, it was a certain truth, that this same person, John the Baptist, is Elias, which was for to come ; who was appointed by God to come, and was prophesied of ( Malachi 4:5) that he should come; and even according to the doctrine of the Scribes and Rabbins, he was expected to come before the Messiah; only they in general thought that Elijah the Tishbite, in person, was meant; though some, as before observed f682 , were of opinion, that some great prophet equal to Elijah, and endued with the same spirit, is intended; and which is true of John the Baptist, who came in the Spirit and power of Elias, ( Luke 1:17). And, as it was usual with the Jews f683 , to call Phinehas by the name of Elias, and Elias Phinehas, because of his zeal for the Lord of hosts; for the same reason may John be called by the same name, there being a great resemblance between Elias and him; in their temper and disposition; in their manner of clothing, and austere way of living; in their very great piety and holiness; in their courage and integrity, in reproving vice; and in their zeal and usefulness in the cause of God, and true religion: in respect to which, Christ must be here understood, when he affirms John to be Elias; not Elias in person, but he that was intended by Elias, that was said should come: hence here is no contradiction to the words of the Baptist, in ( John 1:21) when he says, that he was not Elias; for the Jews, who put the question to him, whether he was Elias, or not? meant whether he was Elias in person, Elias the Tishbite, or not; and so John understood them, and very honestly and sincerely replies, he was not: but he does not deny that he was intended by this Elias, that was prophesied should come; yea, he says such things as might induce them to believe he was that person; hence, Christ, and he, say nothing contrary to, and irreconcilable, as the Jew suggests, with each other.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the greatest of the care begins. Joh was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense. It becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a grea and good man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorifie saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more i praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in thi world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is rather to be understoo the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love Multitudes were wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples. And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one woul think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be intruders. I shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the mind must be altered Those who will have an interest in the great salvation, will have is upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without blessing. The things of God are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he ha given us. People are ignorant, because they will not learn.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ει 1487 COND θελετε 2309 5719 V-PAI-2P δεξασθαι 1209 5664 V-ADN αυτος 846 P-NSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S ηλιας 2243 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM μελλων 3195 5723 V-PAP-NSM ερχεσθαι 2064 5738 V-PNN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. If ye will (eiqelete). More correctly, Rev., If ye are willing or disposed. For there would naturally be an unwillingness to receive the statement about John's high place, in view of John's imprisonment.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:14 { this is Elijah} (autos estin eleias). Jesus here endorses John as the promise of Malachi. The people understood #Mal 4:1 to mean the return of Elijah in person. this John denied as to himself (#Joh 1:21). But Jesus affirms that John is the Elijah of promise who has come already (#Mt 17:12). He emphasizes the point: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
