Was John the dipper Elijah? ~ Cross reference of Matthew 3:3 to Isaiah 40:1

John the dipper is portrayed very differently in the Greek text than what Josephus and Roman documents say about him. Some historical documents say that people thought he was the messiah and many followed him into the desert. Talmud even refers to John and his teachings.

During the 1st century CE a sect of Jews called the Essenes moved away from Jerusalem due to the corruption in the Temple and kept themselves pure and awaited the messiah. It is believed John was influenced by this group and hence he we went about preaching that the kingdom of G-d is at hand and people should repent. Incidentally Jesus also starts his mission with these same words "Repent, the kingdom of G-d is at hand"

Tanakh has a reference in Isaiah that talks about a voice in the wilderness that is calling out for the way to be prepared for G-d. Malachi 3 talks about an Angel of G-d coming and purifying the  Levites and making them fit for the sacrifices before the messianic age sacrifices are resumed. 

I think Matthew picks this up to show that John was that person. However John denies he is Elijah but Jesus says that John was indeed Elijah.

So was John indeed Elijah? Let us see some details so we can decide.

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All Greek Text references are from NIV and Tanakh references are from Chabad.

This post is not intended to offend anyone's faith but for those people who are Seeking the truth of THE ONE TRUE G-D of the universe to who we owe all our love, gratitude & devotion.

My encouragement to you is that you read the whole chapter of Tanakh that the Greek text quotes so you get the context and understand what G-d actually said.

G-d Bless and Seek THE Truth.

Matthew 3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”[a]

Isaiah 40:3 A voice calls, "In the desert, clear the way of the Lord, straighten out in the wilderness, a highway for our God."

Consider the below points and see if John was actually Elijah

1. When John was asked if he was Elijah he says he is not. Only Jesus insisted that John was Elijah.
2. Isaiah 40-66 are a set of passages that are about consolation, redemption & comfort for Israel which are very different from the first 39 chapters where Isaiah very sternly calls out all the evil that Judah and Jerusalem have been doing.
3. This is such a beautiful chapter where G-d shares his plan to redeem and restore Israel. Isaiah says that G-d's glory will come to Jerusalem and all flesh will see and acknowledge it.
4. If you read Isaiah 40:2 G-d is telling that Israel's iniquity has been appeased and that she has been punished double than what she deserved.
5. During John's time the Romans ruled over Israel and there were persecutions for sure, but after Jesus came, for 2000 years Israel has received more than what they deserved for not following G-d at the level that G-d expects from them.
6. If you read Isaiah 40:11 it talks about how G-d will gather his people like a Shepard gathers his lambs. After jesus came Israel was scattered to the four corners of the world.
7. If you see all the persecution that Israel has taken for the last 2000 years, I think Isaiah 40 is near fulfillment that Israel has taken double of what it deserved and I pray that G-d's glory be revealed in our time.
8. Read the below verses and see if these have anything to do with John making the way for Jesus.

Isaiah 40:1 "Console, console My people," says your God. 2 Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her, for she has become full [from] her host, for her iniquity has been appeased, for she has taken from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:9 Upon a lofty mountain ascend, O herald of Zion, raise your voice with strength, O herald of Jerusalem; raise [your voice], fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"

Isaiah 40:10 Behold the Lord God shall come with a strong [hand], and His arm rules for Him; behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense is before Him. 11 Like a shepherd [who] tends his flock, with his arm he gathers lambs, and in his bosom he carries [them], the nursing ones he leads.