The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) has translated this to read, “And, behold, I will send to you Elias the Thesbite, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.” This points to the historical prophet of old (1 Kings 17:1). Perhaps as a result of this translation, the scribes of Christ’s day seem to have expected the return of this man (Mark 9:11). But Jesus made it clear that this reference to Elijah was to a person “like” Elijah, namely, John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14).
5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.