The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
Matthew Chapter 17
James
(See Scofield) - (Mat 4:21).
was transfigured
The transfiguration scene contains, in miniature, all the elements of the future kingdom in manifestation:
(1) the Lord, not in humiliation, but in glory. (Mat 17:2).
(2) Moses, glorified, representative of the redeemed who have passed through death into the kingdom. (Mat 13:43); (Luk 9:30-31).
(3) Elijah, glorified, representative of the redeemed who have entered the kingdom by translation. (Co1 15:50-53); (Th1 4:14-17).
(4) Peter, James, and John, not glorified, representatives (for the moment) of Israel in the flesh in the future kingdom (Eze 37:21-27).
(5) The multitude at the foot of the mountain (Mat 17:2); representative of the nations who are to be brought into the kingdom after it is established over Israel (Isa 11:10-12); etc.
Son of man
Also (Mat 17:12-22);
(See Scofield) - (Mat 8:20).
Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come
Compare (Mat 11:14); (Mar 9:11-13); (Luk 1:17); (Mal 3:1); (Mal 4:5-6).
All the passages must be construed together.
(1) Christ confirms the specific and still unfulfilled prophecy of (Mal 4:5-6): "Elias shall truly first come and restore all things." Here, as in Malachi, the prediction fulfilled in John the Baptist, and that yet to be fulfilled in Elijah, are kept distinct.
(2) But John the Baptist had come already, and with a ministry so completely in the spirit and power of Elijah's future ministry (Luk 1:17) that in an adumbrative and typical sense it could be said: "Elias is come already."
Compare (Mat 10:40); (Plm 1:12); (Plm 1:17) where the same thought of identification, while yet preserving personal distinction, occurs. (Joh 1:27).
devil
demon.
(See Scofield) - (Mat 7:22).
Howbeit
The two best manuscripts omit verse 21 (Mat 17:21).