Matthew 17:10

Say the scribes. As the official expositors of the Scriptures, the “scribes” would be the ones expected to decide theological problems such as the one here under discussion. Concerning the scribes see p. 55.

The apparent connection between the Transfiguration and the discussion about Elias’ coming seems to be merely that Elijah was one of the two who had appeared with Christ. However, Malachi had predicted the coming of Elias as a forerunner of the Messiah (see on Mal. 4:5), and the disciples thought that Elijah had now come to announce the Messiah, to protect Jesus, and to confirm His authority as King Messiah (see DA 422; see on John 1:21). But if Jesus was indeed the Messiah of prophecy, as the disciples fondly hoped, and believed Him to be (see on Matt. 16:16), why, then, had Elijah not appeared before this? They still misunderstood the mission of John the Baptist in spite of the fact that Jesus had already told them plainly that the life and work of John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the coming of Elijah (see on ch. 11:14).