John the Baptist Is Elijah Who Is to Come

Jesus said “if you are willing to accept it, John the Baptist is Elijah who is to come.” (Matthew 11:13-14). So let’s look at the remarkable similarities between the two. For example: Did you know they even dressed the same way?

Let’s also look at what Jesus said about John the Baptist and let’s also see the Old Testament scriptures that foretold about the ministry od John The Baptist.

Parallels Between John the Baptist and Elijah

Similarity	Elijah	John the Baptist	Bible Verses
Role as a Prophet	Called to be a prophet to Israel.	Called to be a prophet and to prepare the way for Jesus.	Elijah: 1 Kings 17:1; John: Luke 1:76
Living in the Wilderness	Spent part of his ministry living in the wilderness.	Lived in the wilderness until his appearance in Israel.	Elijah: 1 Kings 17:2-6; John: Luke 1:80
Garment Style	Known to wear a garment of hair with a leather belt.	Wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt.	Elijah: 2 Kings 1:8; John: Matthew 3:4
Confronting the King	Confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.	Confronted King Herod about his marriage to Herodias.	Elijah: 1 Kings 18:18; John: Mark 6:18
Targets of Vindictive Queens	Jezebel seeks the life of Elijah and he flees	Herodias hatches a scheme that results in John being beheaded	Elijah: 1 Kings 19; John: Matthew 14
Message of Repentance	Urged the Israelites to turn from idolatry and return to God. Both use water. Fire from heaven.	Preached repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Pointed to Jesus who will baptize you with fire.	Elijah: 1 Kings 18:21; John: Matthew 3:2-10

What Jesus Said About John The Baptist

1. He is Elijah: Jesus referred to John as the fulfillment of the prophecy about Elijah who was to come.
   • Bible Verse: “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” (Matthew 11:13-14)
2. My Messenger: Jesus spoke of John as more than a prophet and as the messenger who would prepare the way.
   • Bible Verse: “This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’” (Matthew 11:10)
3. Greatest Born of Women: Jesus declared that among those born of women, none is greater than John, yet even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
   • Bible Verse: “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
4. No Reeds Shaken by the Wind: When discussing John with the crowd, Jesus rhetorically asked if they went out to see a reed shaken by the wind, implying that John was not swayed by public opinion or external pressures.
   • Bible Verse: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” (Matthew 11:7)
5. A Burning and Shining Lamp: In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to John the Baptist as a burning and shining lamp, acknowledging the impact of his ministry.
   • Bible Verse: “He was a burning and a shining light…” (John 5:35)

Is there a connection between John the Baptist and music in the Bible?

Yes, there is a connection between John the Baptist and music in the Bible. While John may not be known as the first musician in the Bible, his role in preparing the way for Jesus is echoed in the musical and prophetic traditions of the Old Testament.

Scriptures That Foretold John the Baptist

1. Isaiah 40:3-5: This is one of the most direct prophecies about John the Baptist, describing a voice calling in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord.
   • Scripture: “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”
2. Malachi 3:1: This prophecy speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way before the Lord.
   • Scripture: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.”
3. Malachi 4:5-6: These verses specifically mention Elijah, which is interpreted as referring to John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah.
   • Scripture: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”