Verse 10
The disciples in view seem to be Peter, James, and John (cf. Matthew 17:14). It seems unlikely that the disciples viewed Elijah’s appearance in the Transfiguration as the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6. If they did, their question would have been, Why did Messiah appear before Elijah when the scribes taught the reverse order of appearances? Moreover Elijah’s appearance in the Transfiguration did not turn the hearts of the people back to God.
Peter, James, and John’s question evidently arose over an apparent inconsistency involving Jesus’ announcement of His death. Elijah’s appearance on the mountain probably triggered it. Elijah was to come and turn the hearts of the people back to God before Messiah appeared (Malachi 4:5-6). If that restoration happened, how could Jesus die at the hands of Israel’s leaders (Matthew 16:21)? The disciples were struggling to understand how Messiah’s death could fit into what they believed about the forerunner’s ministry.
Notice that from the Transfiguration on these disciples had no further doubts about Jesus’ messiahship.
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