"And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (10) And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? (11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. (12) But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. (13) Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."
There is somewhat very blessed in this prohibition of Jesus, concerning making known the vision. It doth hot appear that the other disciples were made acquainted with it. Peter insists upon it much, after the Lord's return to glory, but not before. And the reason seems evident. The Lord's purposes arc for his Church. They shall have, in due season, evidences enough, but to others, there is nothing that will carry conviction. So the Prophet declared, and so the Scriptures all along have shewn. Isaiah 6:9; Acts 28:22, to the end. Nothing can be more plain and evident, from this explanation of Christ, that the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 concerning the corning of Elijah, had been grossly perverted by the Scribes. John the Baptist was indeed foretold by the Prophet Isaiah, in strong features of character, (Isaiah 40:3. and Malachi had been commissioned by God the Holy Ghost, to speak of John also; Malachi 3:1. but the prediction of Elijah's coming, gave no authority to this expectation of the Scribes and Pharisees. John the Baptist could not be Elias, though he might be said to come in the spirit and power, with which he appeared, being commissioned, in like manner, by God the Holy Ghost.