And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

MATTHEW 11:14KJV
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Matthew 11:14 (KJV)

What does Matthew 11:14 mean?

Matthew 11:14 means that Jesus is telling his listeners that John the Baptist is the "Elias" (Elijah) who was expected to come before the Messiah, if they are willing to accept this idea. Jesus is identifying John as the fulfillment of the prophecy that Elijah would return.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd about John the Baptist’s role. Many Jews expected the prophet Elijah to return before God’s promised deliverer arrived. Jesus explains that John the Baptist fills this role, but he leaves it up to the listeners to accept or reject this understanding, showing that recognizing John’s true identity requires an open mind.

The Greek behind Matthew 11:14

  • Ἠλίας (Elias, transliterated "Ēlias"): This is the Greek form of "Elijah," the famous Old Testament prophet. The use of this name connects John the Baptist directly to the prophecy in Malachi about Elijah returning before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord."
  • μέλλει (mellei, transliterated "mellei"): This word means "about to" or "destined to." Here, it emphasizes that Elijah (John) was the one who was to come in the future, fulfilling the expectation of a forerunner to the Messiah.
  • δέχεσθε (dechesthe, transliterated "dechesthe"): This word means "receive" or "accept." Jesus puts the responsibility on the listeners to accept this interpretation, highlighting that understanding John’s role is a matter of willingness and openness.

Why Matthew 11:14 matters

  • Matthew 11:14 clarifies that John the Baptist’s mission was not just as a preacher or baptizer, but as the prophesied forerunner, fulfilling a specific Old Testament expectation.
  • This verse helps explain why some people missed or misunderstood John’s significance—they were looking for a literal return of Elijah, not someone coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah."
  • The statement also shows Jesus inviting his audience to think deeply and be willing to accept truths that might not match their expectations, a theme that runs through much of his teaching.