Mat 17:11 Elias truly shall first come and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they wanted. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Christ here refers to the Jewish prediction that Elija would return before the Messiah. The statement seems a pretty direct statement about reincarnation, where Elijah was reincarnated as someone. The apostles assume that this person was John the Baptist. Did the Jews expect Elijah to return as a reincarnation? I don't know, but I do know that those who expect the return of Christ do not expect him to come as a reincarnation either. Despite Christ's plain words, most Christians do not believe in reincarnation at all.


"First" is from proton, which means both first in time and first in rank.

"Come" is from erchomai, which means "to come" and "to go." It means "to set out" and "to arrive at." It is a little like we use the phrase "he is on his way," which can mean either that he is coming or going with no direct reference to the position of the speaker.

"Restore" is from apokathistêmi, which means "reestablish," "restore," "reinstate," and "return."

"Knew" is from epigignôskô, which means "look upon," "recognize," "take notice of," and "witness."

"Suffer" is from paschô, which means "to have done to one," "to be treated so," and "to come to be in a state."