matt 17 kjv
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.



even today at passover jewish families set a place for the return of elijah which will herald the return of the messiah

so i ask why did jesus lie and say john the baptist was elijah ?