A) The disciples realize this event is much more significant than they initially thought. They ask a question that has been on their minds for a long time: “Why do the teachers insist that Elijah must first come before the Messiah?” They ask this because they haven’t seen Elijah and are trying to understand how everything fits together.

B) Jesus challenges their assumption by stating that they have already seen Elijah. Indeed, Elijah has already come. In the mind and heart of God, John the Baptist was the Elijah to come. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah, transforming Israel as Elijah did, and served as the forerunner to the Messiah.