Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Knew him not - Or, , They have not acknowledged him. That is, the Jewish rulers have not acknowledged him, did not receive him as the forerunner of the Messiah. But it appears that all the rest acknowledged him as such; and some, from the power and demonstration of his preaching, were inclined to think he was more, even the Messiah himself: see Luke 3:15.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Matthew 17:12:
Matthew 27:47
Luke 9:28
John 1:21
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