The teachers say Elijah must come before the expected one

Why the teachers say Elijah must appear before the expected moment

Ask a sincere question and keep seeking understanding

Ignore it and move on without revisiting it

Invent an explanation without checking it

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I have tried to rely on my own understanding. I turn from my sin and from self-rule. I believe you died for me and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to lead me into your truth. Amen.

Come to the Lord Who Teaches Truth

Lord, revive your church so we are humble enough to ask honest questions and faithful enough to hear your answers. Rescue us from pride, shallow certainty, and careless speech, and make us a people who love your truth. in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Questioning Church

Lord, when I do not understand your ways, give me a teachable heart and clear sight. Help me ask with humility, listen carefully, and trust you while I learn. in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Humble Understanding

Bring thanks to God for the disciples' example of asking instead of pretending. Thank him for his word, for teachers who explain it faithfully, and for patience while you learn.

Thanks for Honest Questions

Pray for those who teach the Bible: that they would speak truthfully, explain hard things clearly, and point people to Jesus rather than to themselves.

For Teachers of Scripture

Start by naming one thing you do not understand. Ask God what it means, ask for patience while you wait, and ask for a wise person to help you keep learning.

Pray Through a Confusing Passage

καὶ{KE###KEH###And} ἐπηρώτησαν{e-pee-RO-tee-san###eh-pee-ROH-tee-sahn###(they) asked} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} ⸀μαθηταὶ{ma-thee-TE###mah-thee-TEH###disciples} λέγοντες·{LE-gon-tes###LEH-gohn-tehs###saying} Τί{TEE###TEE###Why} οὖν{OON###OON###then} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} γραμματεῖς{gram-ma-TEES###grahm-ma-TEES###scribes} λέγουσιν{LE-goo-sin###LEH-goo-seen###(they) say} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###that} Ἠλίαν{ee-LEE-an###ee-LEE-ahn###Elijah} δεῖ{DEE###DEE###must} ἐλθεῖν{el-THEEN###ehl-THEEN###come} πρῶτον;{PRO-ton###PROH-tohn###first}

Matthew 17:10 — Source TextTAB

More on this verse