Elijah and John the Baptist: A Typology
In Malachi 4:5, the Lord declares through the prophet that Elijah the prophet was coming before the great day of the Lord. In Matthew 11:14, whilst speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus declares, ‘If you will receive it, this (John the Baptist) is Elijah which was to come’. In doing so, He draws a clear association between Elijah and John the Baptist.
Let’s have a look at some of the parallels between these two firebrands, and at the end, we’ll see another typology that is then revealed as a result of this type.
| Elijah | John the Baptist |
| Wild man dressed with a leather girdle | Wild man dressed with a leather girdle |
| Took refuge in the wilderness near the Jordan River | Dwelt in the wilderness before having a ministry by the Jordan river |
| A ministry in calling the people to repentance | A ministry in calling the people to repentance |
| Rebuked an evil king | Rebuked an evil king |
| Burst on the scene, then went silent for three years in the wilderness before challenging all the people to repent on Mt Carmel | Miraculous birthing events, followed by a life of isolation in the wilderness before challenging the people to repent whilst baptizing in the river Jordan |
| Prepared an altar with a (ceremonial) sacrifice that God found acceptable | Prepared the way for the Lamb of God, the only sacrifice that God found acceptable |
| Was ‘defeated’ by an evil woman | Was killed as the result of an evil woman |
| Had a group of followers (school of the prophets) | Had a group of followers (disciples of John) |
| Followed by one who was greater | Followed by one who was greater |
The final correlation is particularly important: followed by someone greater. Elijah was followed by Elisha. John was followed by Jesus. Is there any chance that there’s a typology of Christ found in Elisha?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is that’s for another time.
There is one more example that could perhaps be mentioned: both Elijah and John were bold, centerstage, and in the spotlight once they began the main portion of their ministry. Is there anything else? Feel free to add it in!
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