– It is written that Elijah would return before the Day of Yahweh arrived:
Mal 3,23 : I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
– This prophecy remained in the bosom of the Jewish community and, in this regard, the disciples went to ask Jesus:
Mt 17:10 : Why do the scribes say that Elijah must return first?
– He answered them that Elijah had already come figuratively in the person of John the Baptist, but had not been recognized:
Mt 11,7-15 : And, if you want to understand, he is Elijah who had to return.
Mt 17,12-13 : But I tell you that Elijah has already come, but they did not know him; rather, they did with him as they pleased.
Mk 9,11-13 : Then they asked him: “Why do the Pharisees and scribes say that Elijah must return first?”.
– Elijah also appears in the Transfiguration of Jesus representing the prophets, while Moses was the personified symbol of the Law:
Mt 17,1-13 : Elijah, in fact, must return and restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come.
Mk 9: 2-13 : Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.
Lk 9,28-36 : And behold, two characters were talking with him: they were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory.
– Jesus, who remains alone, presents himself as the fulfillment of the prophecies and incarnation of the newness of the law of love:
Mt 17:8 : They raised their eyes and saw no one but Jesus alone.
Lk 9:36 : And while this voice was still resounding, Jesus was found alone.
– In his prophetic work, he courageously opposed the idolatry that existed in the royal palace and denounced the falsehood of the prophets of Baal:
1 Kings 18:17-40 : Because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.
2Ch 21:12 : This is what the Lord, the God of David your father, says: “Because you did not walk in the example of Jehoshaphat your father”.
1 Kings 18:20 : He sent Ahab to warn all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.
1Kings 18,20-46 : Elijah continued: “I am the only one of the prophets of the Lord that remains, while those of Baal”.
– He didn’t die. He was caught up to heaven:
2Kings 2,11-12 : Ask me something before I am taken away from you: what can I do for you?
