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!
Talking Bible 