Matthew 16:14
16:14 They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, 1 and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 17:10
17:10 The disciples asked him, 2 “Why then do the experts in the law 3 say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 27:49
27:49 But the rest said, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to save him.” 4
1 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
2 tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.
3 tn Or “do the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
4 tc Early and important mss (א B C L Γ pc) have another sentence at the end of this verse: “And another [soldier] took a spear and pierced him in the side, and water and blood flowed out.” This comment finds such a strong parallel in John 19:34 that it was undoubtedly lifted from the Fourth Gospel by early, well-meaning scribes and inserted into Matt 27:49. Consequently, even though the support for the shorter reading (A D W Θ Ë1,13 33 Ï lat sy sa bo) is not nearly as impressive, internal considerations on its behalf are compelling.