The Jews of Jesus' day expected Elijah to come before the Messiah; indeed, some present day Jews continue to await Elijah's coming as well, as in the Cup of Elijah the Prophet in the Passover Seder. This is why the disciples ask Jesus in Matthew 17:10, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" The disciples are then told by Jesus that Elijah came in the person of John the Baptist,
The Jews of Jesus' day expected Elijah to come before the Messiah; indeed some present day Jews continue to await Elijah's coming as well as in the Cup of Elijah the Prophet in the Passover Seder This is why the disciples ask Jesus in Matthew 1710 "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come" The disciples are then told by Jesus that Elijah came in the person of John the Baptist