The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 11:7–Was John the Baptist Elijah? Unlocking Matthew vs. John

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In this episode Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction between Jesus calling John the Baptist “Elijah” (Matthew 11, 17) and John’s own denial when asked if he was Elijah (John 1). The conclusion: John is not Elijah literally, but he fulfills Elijah’s mission in spirit and power — a typological fulfillment rooted in Malachi and explained across Matthew, Luke, and John.

Listeners will hear biblical passages, scholarly perspectives, and practical applications about prophecy, typology, and how God’s promises can be fulfilled in layers rather than by literal replication.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

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  1. Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/elijah.html 
  2. Casillas, Ken. "Was John the Baptist Elijah?" BJU Seminary Theology in 3D. https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/was-john-the-baptist-elijah/
  3. Godfrey, Neil. "Jesus as the New Elijah, and the Gospel as a Symbolic Tale According to a Scholarly View." Vridar.org. https://vridar.org/2010/12/20/jesus-as-the-new-elijah-and-the-gospel-was-a-symbolic-tale-according-to-a-scholarly-view/
  4. Hahn, Scott. "John the Baptist: In the Spirit and Power of Elijah." St. Paul Center. https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/john-the-baptist-in-the-spirit-and-power-of-elijah
  5. Deffinbaugh, Bob. "John the Baptist as Elijah." Doctrine.org. https://doctrine.org/john-the-baptist-as-elijah
  6. Willmington, Harold. "Contrasting Elijah and John the Baptist." Liberty University Scholars Crossing. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=contrast_compare
  7. Schachterle, Joshua (ed. Bart Ehrman). "Was John the Baptist Elijah? (Differences & Similarities)." BartEhrman.com. https://www.bartehrman.com/was-john-the-baptist-elijah/
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