ISB ~ John 1 v21

Elijah?:Israel anticipated the return of the prophet Elijah.

• Malachi foretold that Elijah would make final preparations for the arrival of Israel’s messianic Lord (Sir 48:10; Mal 4:5). John is not Elijah come again in the flesh, but he fulfills his mission in spirit (Lk 1:17) (CCC 718).See note on Mk 9:11. the prophet?: Israel awaited the coming of a prophet in the likeness of Moses.

• That the authorities question whether John is the prophet and not simply a prophet suggests they are thinking of this Mosaic figure foretold in Deut 18:15-19. John is not the messianic prophet; it is Jesus who fulfills this role as the new Moses (4:20-26; 6:14; 7:40).