John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated

The Testimony of John the Baptist

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “Yes.”  


The Testimony of Jesus on John the Baptist

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: 

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written,

'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.'

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,  and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come."

He said, “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.”

“For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come."

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And John the Baptist went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  And he went before him kin the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.