Right after the transfiguration of Matthew 17.1 – 8, where Jesus appears in his glory, talking with Moses and Elijah, we have this exchange:

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17.9 – 13, ESV)

“Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”

John the Baptist had already been beheaded, and Jesus was about to be crucified. In case you hadn’t noticed, things don’t always go well for God’s servants, especially in the short term. Sometimes our harshest critics are religious insiders, not outsiders.

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. (Acts 12.1 – 3, ESV)

I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes,… (2 Corinthians 11.24, MSG)

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 1.9, ESV)