Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 1:17

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

God was last spoken of, he must therefore be the him mentioned here, before whom Iohn the Baptist was to go, according to the Prophecy, Mal. 4.5, 6. from whence is an evident proof, that Christ was the Lord our God, before whom Iohn the Baptist came, in the Spirit and Power of Elias, and therefore he is called Elias, Mal. 4, 5. as expounded by Christ, Matth. 11.14. Mark 9.11. The Jews not understanding this, keeps them in a vain expectation of a Messiah to this Day, and of a Personal coming of Elias before him; it is the observation of some learned Men, that where the word Power is added to the Spirit, or holy Ghost, it signifies a more than ordinary measure, and Influence of the Spirit as in this Chap. v. 35. Acts 10.38. 1 Cor. 2.4. 1 Thess. 1.5. But I rather think, that by that Phrase, In the Spirit and Power here is meant, with the same Zeal and frame of Spirit that Elijah had; we have before in our Notes upon Matthew, shewed in how many things Iohn the Baptist was like Elijah, to say nothing of his Habit, and the Severity of his Life, in respect of the most corrupt time, wherein they both lived, their faithfulness in their Ministry, their Warmth and Zeal in their Work, their boldness not fearing to reprove Princes for their Errors, &c. to turn the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children. Malachy addeth, and the Hearts of the Children to the Parents, instead of which Luke hath, and the disobedient to the Wisdom of the just, that is, to bring both Young and Old to Repentance. The Hearts of the Fathers amongst the Jews to the Doctrine of Christ, and his Apostles their Children, and the Hearts of the Iews, which with respect to Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and David are Children, to the Doctrine which they imbraced, and the ways of God wherein those just Men walked, which is the Doctrine of Wisdom. To reconcile many amongst the Jews to that which some of them own and profess, tho others of them are yet Apostatized, and yet led away, with the Superstitions of these Degenerate, and Corrupt times. To make ready a People prepared for the Lord, to acquaint this part of the World with the Messias, and to prepare them for receiving him and his Doctrine, which is presently to be revealed by himself, taking off Peoples Prejudices, and discovering and commending Christ to them. Or by bringing Men to a true Repentance for their Sins, and a Sense of them, till which they cannot believe to prepare them for a more Internal Reception of the Lord Jesus Christ. For Iohn is said to have Preached the Doctrine of Repentance for the Remission of Sins, and to have Preached, saying, Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. Also defaming the Pharisees who were the great Enemies of Christ, by detecting to the People their Hypocrisy. Thus he made ready a People prepared for the Lord.

Marginal references: Or by, or in.