Matthew 17:11
“Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,”
What does Matthew 17:11 mean?
Jesus is responding to his disciples' confusion about Old Testament prophecies that said Elijah would come before the Messiah. He's acknowledging that yes, someone in the spirit of Elijah does come first to prepare the way and call people back to God, which actually happened through John the Baptist. This answer helps them understand that God's plan unfolds in stages, not all at once, and that the prophets' words are coming true even if it looks different than expected.