Matthew 17:13

13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:13 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood
By his saying that Elias was come, and by the account he gave of his ill usage, it was clear to them,

that he spake unto them of John the Baptist;
and that he was the Elias that was to come, and was come: so that this observation, that according to prophecy Elias was to come before the Messiah, was no objection to Jesus being the Messiah; but on the contrary, since he that was intended by Elias was come, and had done his work and office, it was a confirmation of the truth of his Messiahship.

Matthew 17:13 In-Context

11 And he answered [and] said, "Elijah indeed is coming, and will restore all [things].

12 But I say to you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did with him whatever they wanted. In the [same] way also the Son of Man is going to suffer [at] their hands."

13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

14 And [when they] came to the crowd, a man approached him, kneeling down before him

15 and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely, for often he falls into the fire and often into the water.