Problem: New Age teachers argue that this passage supports the doctrine of reincarnation. Jesus said, “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come” (Mt. 11:14). Is this the case?
Problem: Jesus said, “If you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come” (Mt. 11:14). John denied that he was Elijah (Jn. 1:21). What does Jesus mean by this? Does he mean that John the Baptist is Elijah?
Problem: Jesus refers here to John the Baptist as “Elijah who is to come” (cf. Matt. 17:12; Mark 9:11–13). But, since Elijah had died many centuries before, John must have been a reincarnation of Elijah.
Problem:
Yes, he was Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14) – “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you care to accept it, he himself is Elijah, who was to come.”
-or-
No, he was not Elijah (John 1:19-21) – “And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed, and did not deny, and he confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
Which One?
Problem: Paul declared that the kingdom (rule) of God is “peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). However, Matthew says “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” How can one enter God’s kingdom by force?
Problem: In Matthew 11:4-5, Jesus claimed to fulfill Isaiah 35:4-6. This passage states, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah.” How did Jesus fulfill this passage?
Matthew 11:2-3; Luke 7:18-22; and John 1:29-34
In prison (Matthew 11:2,3) – “Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, 3and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”
Problem: Here Jesus affirms, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” However, elsewhere He is called “the prince of peace” (Isa. 9:6) who said, “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27) and told His disciples to put away the sword, “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52). So, which are we to believe? Did Jesus come to bring peace or the sword?
No Peace
(Matthew 10:34-36) – “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35″For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”
(Luke 12:51,52) – “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three…”
(Luke 22:36) – “And He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one.”
Problem: Preterists argue that Jesus would return before the disciples were finished with their ministry. If Jesus invisibly returned in AD 70, then this passage would be perfectly fulfilled.