Who Restores “All Things”: Elijah or Jesus?

In Matthew 17:11, Jesus says, “Elijah will restore all things.” Meanwhile, in Acts 3:21, Paul says that Jesus will restore all things. Which is correct? Who is really restoring all things?

The Texts in Question

In Matthew 17:11, Jesus states:

“Elijah does come, and he will restore all things.”

In Acts 3:21, starting from verse 17 for context, it states:

“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets—that His Christ would suffer—He has thus fulfilled. Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago.”

So, the question is: In Matthew, Elijah is said to restore all things, while in Acts, Jesus is said to restore all things. Who is it?

John the Baptist as Elijah

In Matthew 17:11, Jesus is referring to John the Baptist as Elijah. This is clarified in Luke 1:13-17, where the angel tells Zechariah about John:

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. He must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Here, John the Baptist is described as coming in the spirit and power of Elijah, fulfilling the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy, not as a resurrected Elijah but as one who carries Elijah’s spirit and power. His mission was specific: to prepare people for the Lord by turning hearts and calling them to repentance, as seen in Matthew 3:5-6:

“Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.”

John’s role was to restore “all things” entrusted to him by God, such as preparing the way for Jesus and calling people to repentance.

Jesus’ Role in Acts 3:21

In Acts 3:21, the restoration refers to the broader fulfillment of all things by Jesus. His restoration encompasses:

• His bodily return.
• Gathering the elect.
• Separating the sheep and goats (judgment).
• Ushering in the new heavens and the new earth.

As described in Romans 8:18-23, creation and believers eagerly await this restoration:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. Creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

This ultimate restoration is comprehensive and eternal, fulfilling all promises and prophecies about Christ.

Conclusion

The two passages, Matthew 17:11 and Acts 3:21, are not contradictory. They describe the restoration roles of John the Baptist and Jesus, respectively:

• John the Baptist (Elijah): His role was specific to his calling as the forerunner in the spirit of Elijah, turning hearts and preparing people for the Lord.
• Jesus: His role encompasses the complete restoration of creation and humanity’s redemption, culminating in His return and eternal reign.

By understanding the “all things” in their respective contexts, the texts complement each other, revealing God’s intricate plan of restoration.

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