{Restoreth all things} (apokatistanei panta). This late
double compound verb, usual form apokathist(886d)i in the papyri,
is Christ's description of the Baptist as the promised Elijah and
Forerunner of the Messiah. See on 烘t 17:10-13|. The disciples
had not till now understood that the Baptist fulfilled the
prophecy in  Mal 3:5f . They had just seen Elijah on the
mountain, but Jesus as Messiah preceded this coming of Elijah.
But Jesus patiently enlightens his dull pupils as they argue
about the exegesis of the scribes.