John the Baptist and Elijah

As we continued too study John 1, we discussed who John the Baptist was. Given Matthew 11:14 "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who was to come." There was some thought that John the Baptist might be a reincarnation of the old testament Elijah. Malachi 4:5-6 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." also suggests John might be Elijah. Given that Elijah did not die but was taken directly to heaven, Jewish tradition spoke of Elijah's return; perhaps that is why Jesus phrased it like he did for Jewish consumption ("if you are willing to accept it") but Luke 1:17 makes it clear that "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah." John the Baptist was not Elijah. Understanding Luke and the phrasing in Matthew, it seems clear that John the Baptist was acting like Elijah and fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah.