The disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah has to come first?”
If you’re willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.
asked him, “Why are you baptizing people if you’re not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet we’ve been expecting?”
“Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “No, I’m not,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we’ve been expecting?” they asked. “No,” he answered.
They also asked Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah has to come first?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Jesus replied, “Elijah is supposed to come and put everything back in order.