John the Baptist = Elijah?

[PowderedGold]

A passage from Mark 17 has been bothering me. I am hoping someone can explain it to me. It goes like this:

"Jesus replied, 'To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist."

So is John the Baptist supposed to be like another incarnation of Elijah? Or that he is like a new Elijah and that is what the prophecy meant, not the literal Elijah? And in what way did John "restore all things"?

[Macca]

A passage from Mark 17 has been bothering me. I am hoping someone can explain it to me. It goes like this:

"Jesus replied, 'To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist."

So is John the Baptist supposed to be like another incarnation of Elijah? Or that he is like a new Elijah and that is what the prophecy meant, not the literal Elijah? And in what way did John "restore all things"?
Mal. 3: 1
Isa. 40: 3
These are both references to the coming of John the Baptist.
He was to prepare the way for the Messiah, bringing the beginning of repentance to the nation of Israel. Turning them back to God; therefore starting the renewal of the covenant.
:preach:
:preach:

[PowderedGold]

I see that. Thank you for the references. But what does it have to do with Elijah?

[Macca]

I see that. Thank you for the references. But what does it have to do with Elijah?
Happy birthday for tomorrow.
Elijah was a prophet who told it like it was without compromise. More so than other prophets.
John was going to be like that, and call Israel back to God; calling people a brood of vipers would not have endeared John to anyone listening.
John was like the spirit of Elijah.
:preach:

[PowderedGold]

OK, so the prophecy wasn't literally about Elijah, but rather someone who is much like Elijah ie John the Baptist.

[Macca]

OK, so the prophecy wasn't literally about Elijah, but rather someone who is much like Elijah ie John the Baptist.
Correct.
:preach:

[dvd_holc]

http://www.christianforums.com/t2636025-wiki-john-the-baptist.html

[PowderedGold]

Thanks for that link!