And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come.
All Commentaries on Matthew 11:14 Go To Matthew 11
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
He is Elias Not in person, but in spirit. (Luke i. 17) (Challoner)
John is here styled Elias, not in the same manner as those who taught the transmigration of souls; but the meaning is, that the precursor came in the spirit and virtue of Elias, and had the same fulness of the Holy Spirit. The Baptist is not undeservedly styled Elias, both for the austerity of his life, and for his sufferings. Elias upbraided Achab and Jezabel for their impieties, and was obliged to flee. John blamed the unlawful marriage of Herod and Herodias, and died for his virtue. (St. Jerome in St. Thomas Aquinas)
