Matthew 17:13

13 That's when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer.

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 Jesus answered, "Elijah does come and get everything ready.

12 I'm telling you, Elijah has already come but they didn't know him when they saw him. They treated him like dirt, the same way they are about to treat the Son of Man."

13 That's when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer.

14 At the bottom of the mountain, they were met by a crowd of waiting people. As they approached, a man came out of the crowd and fell to his knees begging,

15 "Master, have mercy on my son. He goes out of his mind and suffers terribly, falling into seizures. Frequently he is pitched into the fire, other times into the river.