Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”
And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready.
Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.”
asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”