John the Baptist the new Elijah

Matthew 17:10-13 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

• Wore a hair garment and a leather belt round waist (2 Kg 1:8; Mt 3:4)

• Prophet of spirit and power: Elijah when defeating the priests of Baal (1 Kg 18:20-40); John the Baptist contempt for the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt 3:7-12)

• Called people to return to god: for the people to turn away from idolatry (1 Kg 18:21,37-39); for the people to repent from their sins (Mk 1:4-5)

• Confronted immoral kings: Elijah to king Ahab for idolatry (1 Kg 18:17-18); John the Baptist to king Herod for committing adultery by marrying his brother's wife (Mk 6:18)

• Treated cruelly by the king's wife: Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah (1 Kg 19:3-4); Herodias had John the Baptist beheaded (Mk 6:17-28)

• Anointed his successor: Elisha by God's command to Elijah (1 Kg 19:16); Jesus the new Elisha was baptised by John the Baptist (Mt 3:13-15)

• Passed on ministry to successor at the River Jordan: when Elijah was assumed into heaven (2 Kg 2:1-18); John the Baptist to Jesus at his baptism (Mt 3:13)