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In Matthew 17, Jesus refers to Elijah’s return to restore order before the end of the age, using language also found in Sirach. Both describe Elijah as a figure chosen to renew Israel’s unity, following an interpretation of Malachi.
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Sirach 48:10
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. 4 How glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? 5 You raised a corpse from death and from Hades, by the word of the Most High. 6 You sent kings down to destruction, and famous men, from their sickbeds. 7 You heard rebuke at Sinai and judgments of vengeance at Horeb. 8 You anointed kings to inflict retribution, and prophets to succeed you. 9 You were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire. 10 At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Date: 195-175 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Matthew 17:11
New Testament
8 When they looked up, all they saw was Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the experts in the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does indeed come first and will restore all things. 12 And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
Date: 70-90 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The reappearance of Elijah was connected with eschatological events. This verse has as its biblical background Malachi 3:23–24 (NRSV 4:5–6, which has the phrase “to turn the hearts of parents to their children”) ... The Hebrew participle 'haketuv' is most often translated “it is written.” But this translation breaks up the consistent use of the participles in verses 5–10 to refer specifically to Elijah. This one must refer to the prophet as well. An alternative translation might be: “The one who is certainly appointed (or: enrolled) for the time.” ..."
Wright, Benjamin G.
Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture
(p. 2340) The Jewish Publication Society, 2013
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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