Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;

and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.

Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.

But I tell you that Elijah has already come and people did not recognize him, but treated him just as they pleased. In the same way they will also mistreat the Son of Man."

Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus answered them, "I will ask you just one question, and if you give me an answer, I will tell you what right I have to do these things.

But if we say, 'From human beings,' we are afraid of what the people might do, because they are all convinced that John was a prophet."

And they asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?"

I tell you, however, that Elijah has already come and that people treated him just as they pleased, as the Scriptures say about him."

John will be great in the Lord's sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him."