Elias] i.e. Elijah, whose personal return to prepare the way of the Messiah was expected by many (Malachi 4:5; Mark 6:15 see especially on Matthew 16:14; Matthew 17:10). John denied that he was literally Elijah, though his coming fulfilled Malachi's prophecy (Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:12; Luke 1:17). That prophet] RV 'the prophet,' viz. the prophet mentioned Deuteronomy 18:15, and regarded by the deputation not as the Messiah, but as one of his forerunners. John, however, regarded the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15 as actually the Messiah (cp. Acts 3:22), and therefore denied that he was 'that prophet.'

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