Understanding Elijah's Coming in Matthew and Luke

WELCOME PRAYER SONG SILENCE

October 27th, 2019

Meat
Luke 9.36
Last week in our Q and A Ray asked some questions about Elijah and the connection to the Mount of Transfiguration and John the Baptist.

Before we leave the site of the Mount of Transfiguration here in Luke I want to add what Matthew includes as happening to the event. After it was over, we read starting in Matthew 17:10 some information not found in Luke.

10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias (Elijah) must first come?

By this time it appears that the Apostles agreed that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps the transfiguration removed all doubt. So at this point they appear to start asking questions relative to the traditions and culture of the people asking here why the SCRIBES (who were considered the scriptural theologians of the day) teach the doctrine that Elijah should appear before the Messiah came – it seems that in their minds they didn’t recollect any appearance of such.

Jesus' Explanation

So we could probably read this verse as "We now know that you are the promised Messiah but Elijah has not come, as far as we know, so why do the scribes teach that he would?” (at Verse 11 Jesus responds and says)

11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.

This is a bit confusing isn’t it? Why would Jesus say here that Elijah truly SHALL First come when later He says that Elijah surely HAD come? Because in this verse, through the King James, Jesus is merely affirming the scribes doctrine as it was taught, meaning: “That Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things” is a true teaching. Get it?

He could not have meant that Elijah was yet to come for he directly tells them that he had come; but he meant to affirm that this was a true doctrine that the scribes taught, that Elijah would appear before the coming of the Messiah. To do what? The prophecy in Malachi, reiterated here, was that Elijah was to first return and “restore,” which means he would return to and put things back into their former place.

Elijah in the Spirit of John the Baptist

We understand the meaning of this through the actions and words of John the Baptist, whom Jesus directly explains is this Elijah (in the Spirit of) and so we ask: What did John say and do? He preached repentance by the Law and the Prophets. And he challenged the people to evidence fruits of repentance and to be baptized as a means to prepare for the Anointed One.

Before the coming of John, the Nations views and ways were off, their expectations worldly, and their conduct depraved. In and through correcting many of their notions about the Messiah, He became an instrument of an extensive reformation; and thus restored them to the correct world view which God wanted them to have in preparation for the advent of the Anointed One.

In verse 12 Jesus makes the meaning of verse 11 clear, saying:

12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they desired. Likewise, shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Who is he speaking of when he says, Elijah has come? We covered it in the first chapter of Luke. Remember?

Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

It cannot get any more plain and direct than this. But Jesus added: “and they have done whatsoever they desired with him.” Meaning, he was put to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.. And he adds, “Likewise, shall also the Son of man suffer of them.”

Final verse in Matthew 17 on this – verse 13 –

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

The Healing on the Day After Transfiguration

Luke 9:37-50: This passage begins in Luke 9:37, describing events following the disciples' descent from the Mount of Transfiguration and continues with a story of healing.

Luke 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, (The Mount of Transfiguration) much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

The Miracle of Healing

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.” 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

49 And John answered and said, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

The Importance of Faith and Understanding

Okay, back to verse 37

37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

Matthew's account reads in 17:14-15:

“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

This all took place on the day following the transfiguration and this mass of people was probably composed of persons who followed Him about as He did ministry with many, most or all being His genuine disciples. We know from Mark's account that there were also scribes around questioning them. Which probably means that they were skulking around trying to recruit people away.

Remember, the Messiah was prophesied to come and the scribes were probably vetting the facts of his life to see if he qualified relative to scripture. Obviously, he had disciples and acolytes and the scribes probably sought to dissuade them from giving Jesus their allegiance. Jesus, in Matthew 16:11-12 compared them to leaven, which corrupts. So, they had come down from the place of Transfiguration and the masses appear to have gone to greet them.

Mark's account has Jesus first question the scribes (and they failed to reply adequately) and then joins in with this man kneeling before Jesus in the cause of his only son. A certain man kneeling down to him (showing him respect and paying homage in the face of it) said:

“Lord, have mercy.” The word Lord is akin to our sir, and so we should be careful not to assign what he says (Lord) and does (kneeling) as evidence that He worshipped him here. These were customary forms used in that day toward people of reputation.

The Possessed Child

It is here the man tells Jesus His story:

My son (Luke says, his only son) was possessed with a devil. The results of this possession were severe and we get a compilation of them from the Gospel accounts:

• He was considered lunatic.
• He was sorely vexed.
• He had fits (like epilepsy).
• He was dumb (until the demon moved in him and then he would cry out).
• He foamed and gnashed with his teeth.
• He wasted away and was emaciated.

The Story of the Possessed Boy

Luke’s account reads the father say:

39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

Now, we have some thinking to do relative to all of this. And we have to wonder: Was this a demon or devil causing this in the boy. Scripture says it was, and so I believe that it was. Period. We might ask: “Did this demon, in that day and age, manifest itself in the boy like epilepsy manifests itself in people today?” And to this question I personally see no reason why it wouldn’t or couldn’t. In other words, what was demon inspired or demon caused in this situation THEN may be manifested in the disease called Epilepsy today. These things are possible. Was what this boy experienced certainly epilepsy? No. So we have to admit that just because it sounds like our epileptic seizures it does not mean it was.

Modern Understanding of Diseases and Demons

The next question could be: Are people who suffer with epilepsy (or frankly any other disease today) demon possessed? Because of how I see the Word eschatologically, I ardently say no. I do not believe that post the death, resurrection and ascension and return of Christ that Satan or His angels have any power. However, I do admit that the residual of demons and devils in the world and the fall could have left a trail of dark disease thriving in the world today. But that is pure conjecture! I say all of this because I think we need to be careful assigning demons to what in our day are merely products of a former world once demon possessed. I reject the notion that demons are still winning and beating Jesus and God by stealing or taking possession of souls, that Jesus has had the victory once and for all, but that the principles of Dark and Light, Life and Death, are eternal, and will forever play a role in the lives of human beings.

Jesus and His Disciples

So let’s go back to verse 40 in Luke 9 where the man says to Jesus:

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

Now some say that the boy was brought to the apostles who were there waiting but this is odd because the Apostles HAD the power over unclean spirits as evidenced by being sent out by Jesus and coming back and saying so. (which is found in Matthew 10:8) So, either this case was particularly hard AND the apostles were involved, OR the apostles were not involved and this speaks to the DISCIPLES who were trying their hand at exorcism. Because we will read of some who did not follow in the inner circle of Jesus casting out demons later in this chapter this latter scenario is likely the case. (verse 41)

41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

Perverse means something that is twisted or turned from the proper direction or form – in scripture the term is often assigned to the eyes when one (or both) are turned from the natural position. In the Gospels the word is often applied to “a generation,” and how they have over time, twisted from the truth and turned to tweaked views or ideas that were once correct. We don’t know why Jesus would say this to his apostles or to his true disciples and so it could be he was addressing others. But we don’t know. But He does ask, “How long shall I suffer you?” Meaning, “how long shall I bear with you?” The meanings is probably not as harsh or impatient as it sounds and was probably along the lines of: How long will it take for you to see that there is power through my name and it is here for you to use!

Marks account adds, that when he that was possessed was brought, the spirit, by a last desperate struggle, threw him down, and tore him, and left him apparently dead. And he also includes the insight from the father that “the boy had suffered from this since he was a child.” Also in Mark’s account, Jesus says to the father (Mark 9:23)

"If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

Which, at the risk of being more redundant then I already am, I see as a type for Bible readers.

The Power of Faith in Healing

If we look in faith to Jesus, we will be healed of our natural inclinations, forgiven of our sins, and made whole before our God. To me, all the New Testament healings and casting outs are a type of this eternal promise carried forward today because we cannot please God but by faith.

The father came, as a father should do, weeping, and praying that his faith might be increased, so as to make it proper that Jesus should interpose in his behalf, and save his child. "Help my unbelief," is what the man asks in Mark 9:24. Which was an expression of humility and a means to humbly say: “If my faith is defective, supply what is lacking. Help me to overcome my unbelief. Let not the defect of my faith be in the way of this blessing to my son.”

The Healing Account According to Luke and Matthew

Luke’s account adds at verse 42:

42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

Matthew simply says:

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

The word rebuke has the combined force of reproving and commanding. Sort of like, “Evil filthy Spirit, depart from this boy.” In fact, Marks account includes the words Jesus used: "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him." And then we read: Then Mark says that when the Spirit left him it left him apparently or appearing dead but Jesus lifted him up by the hand, and Luke says He “gave him to his father.”

The Discussion Among the Disciples

At this point in the narrative we have the story going in different directions: Here in Luke we read:

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

But Matthews version adds:

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart (or in a private moment), and said, Why could not we cast him out? According to Mark this scene occurred in a some house where they retired near the place where the miracle was performed.

20 And Jesus said unto them, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

The Elements Necessary for Casting Out the Demon

This response makes me think that Jesus was speaking to his own apostles when he chides them and wonders how long he would have to suffer their lack of faith. I would remind us all that faith the size of a mustard seed is an ENORMOUSLY large amount of powerful faith in so much that even in the size of a tiny mustard seed they could move mountains.

But then Jesus adds a line that really perplexes me – it always has – when He says:

21 Howbeit (However) this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains but this type of demon, I suppose, will not respond unless their demands are supported by prayer and fasting?

We are not sure if there was a specific type of powerful devil OR if the length of time of the possession was a factor, or if Jesus was simply saying: I do a lot of fasting and praying and that is why I could do it and you could not. Can’t be sure.

All we can be sure of is this was a demon possession, the disciples could not cast the demon out, but Jesus could and when asked why Jesus presents three factors that contributed to His success: Faith, Prayer, and Fasting

Back to Luke, we read something all together differently being discussed:

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

When Jesus says, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears,” he is probably talking about the praise that was being shared by the people as described in verse 43. And He is telling them to remember these things why? Because, He says, “FOR the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” Which is another way of saying, “I am about to die, you

Understanding Misconceptions of the Disciples

Remember these sayings you are hearing. They will serve to encourage you in that hour. (Verse 45 – Luke 9)

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

It seems that his disciples had embraced the common idea present in their day that the Messiah was to be a Great material prince and a conqueror and would deliver the Nation from the hands of all of their captors. So, when he said stuff like this it couldn’t sink in. It seems that in this manner the information shared was hid from them – they just couldn’t fathom it. We realize this was their mindset when Jesus is, in fact, put to death, and they sort of implode.

I see this as some really good biblical evidence that people see and hear and believe what they really want to see hear and believe. We really do. And for this reason, we have to desire to discover the truths which lie outside our own mind, heart, will and desires. This fact has been made clear to me thousands of times in my interaction with LDS people and other people involved in other forms of bondage – including bad relationships and drug and substance abuse. We cling to what we want to be true and as long as we want something to be true we have a very hard time letting go of it – no matter what it is, no matter how costly, no matter how painful.

The Disciples' Misplaced Ambitions

What happens next is pretty interesting. Let’s read:

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Jesus has just told them TWICE in this chapter that He was going to be put to death. Luke tells us that this message did not sink into the Apostles brains but perhaps something about it did because they now begin to debate which of them would be the Greatest in the Kingdom. The fact that the three were invited up to the Mount with Jesus could have also played a role in this debate. So, they come to Him and ask: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” But Luke puts the discussion launcher another way, saying:

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

By “the kingdom of heaven” it is certain that they the kingdom which they believed He was about to set up– his kingdom as the Messiah. He had talked about His death and they seemed to ask the question in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great power and they wanted to know their respective places in it. This discussion appears to have come up a couple of times among them. In fact Mark 9 tells us that this debate occurred when they were traveling in the way together. In that setting, when Jesus discerned their thoughts, they were embarrassed and remained silent. But in this account, they appear to be bold enough to seek an answer from Him directly.

The Importance of Humility

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (and said) 3 Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Now, we note that built into this advice or teaching is the idea that the apostles had NOT been yet converted. I would agree with this. In fact they were still operating by their flesh, and by their own will (as evidenced by the question they posed to Jesus). The conversion would come at the bestowal of the Holy Spirit. So His statement to them that unless they are converted and become as little children they would not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. How to become as little children? Certainly not in the immaturish, self-centered, emotionally driven way?

No. The ties Jesus makes in this discussion about little children is to humility. Children are, to a great extent, destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They are characteristically humble and willing.

Humility and Greatness

To receive some instruction. By telling his disciples to be like them, He was not expressing or approving childishness but simply with regard to humility to become such. The advice is good.

When a person is born from above they automatically enter into the real of infancy – as babes in Christ. There is a humility before their maker that was not present before; a desire to do His will instead of their own, as a means to please the parent.

This seems to be what Jesus means in my estimation. Children like teams and bundles of friends and are often happy when one of them advances – it's only later that they develop envy and anger and pride and ambition. So, taking a child and putting it in the midst of them Jesus said:

"if any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."

The Kingdom of Heaven

Again, tied into the picture of a child, and their natural state of humility, to the point that they will embrace being a servant and being last instead of pride and being first. It appears that pride and competition entered into the midst of the Apostles and led them to this question. And so Jesus adds:

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

So also to receive and love others who possess the spirit like a child – one who is humble, meek, unambitious – is one who has received Christ.

Not Against Us Is For Us

At this point both Mark (9:38) and Luke (here in chapter 9:49) add a conversation that took place at this time that Matthew does not include. Last two verses for today in Luke –

49 And John replied and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

John told him that they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and they stopped him from doing it “because” John said, “he followed not with us.” John was seeking for complete allegiance to Jesus and the cause, and appears to believe that if there were those who walked their own path they were not acceptable to God.

This was a very normal way of thinking both for the Man John and for the Culture from which He came. Jesus replied, in Marks account, that he should not have been forbidden because “there was no one who could work a miracle in his name that could lightly speak evil of him.” Luke puts it more plainly, saying:

Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

How I love this little insight into the mind of the Lord. He was not seeking to establish a club, He was seeking to find members of His Kingdom, all of which would come to him by faith. This roamer obviously had been moved by the spirit to action and it was action that bore fruit. He was therefore doing the Lord’s work – let Him be, Jesus says, “He that is not against us is for us.”

How much we can learn from this advice, eh?

Questions/Comments/Insights

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