10 The followers asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come before the Messiah comes?"

11 Jesus answered, "They are right to say Elijah is coming. And it is true that Elijah will make all things the way they should be.

12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People did not know who he was, and they treated him badly, doing whatever they wanted to do. It is the same with the Son of Man. Those same people will make the Son of Man suffer."

13 Then the followers understood that when Jesus said Elijah, he was really talking about John the Baptizer.