Bruce K. Waltke has written an intriguing and insightful article on Elisha as a type of Christ for Ligonier Ministries Tabletalk magazine. Waltke serves as professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.
In the article, Waltke briefly lays out some typological connections between Elijah and John the Baptist and then the transition from Elijah to Elisha and the transition from John the Baptist to Christ. He then moves to the typological connection from Elisha to Jesus.
Here is an excerpt:
But now let’s really swim by comparing Elisha and the Lord Jesus. Both are designated by a prophet, whom the general populace recognized as a true prophet. Both receive the Spirit on the other side of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:7–15; John 1:28); are surrounded by more disciples than their predecessors; are itinerant miracle workers; give life in a land of death; cleanse lepers (2 Kings 5; Mark 1:40–45); heal the sick (2 Kings 4:34–35; Mark 8:22–25); defy gravity (2 Kings 6:6; Matt. 14:22–33); reverse death by raising dead sons and restoring them to their mothers (2 Kings 4: 1–7; Luke 7:11–17); help widows in desperate circumstances; are kinsman redeemers to save from slavery (2 Kings 4:1–7; Luke 4:19); feed the hungry (2 Kings 4:1–7; Mark 8:1–12); minister to the Gentiles (2 Kings 5:1–16); prepare (2 Kings 6:20–23) and sit at table with sinners (Luke 5:29); lead captives (2 Kings 6:18–20; Eph, 4:7–8); have a covetous disciple (Gehazi and Judas); end their lives in a life-giving tomb from which people flee (2 Kings 13:20–21; Mark 16:1–8).
These replications and foreshadows cry out for reflection. As God’s elect children, we too can inherit — can be filled — with the same Spirit as Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, and our Lord by prayer and perseverance (Eph. 4:18). After all, as James says, “They were men just like us” (James 5:7). Elisha is a type of Christ’s disciples: elected by I AM; leaves father and mother behind; forsakes everything to be a disciple to his Master; becomes like his Master; perseveres with his Master; does greater works than these (2 Kings 4:31–35; John 14:12); brings life to those who stay close to their Master in a culture of death; and develops disciples for whom they also serve as types.
As we read Scripture, we must always remember that every Word is inspired by God and that all of Scripture moves toward the death and resurrection of Christ as its center, and then looks ahead to His triumphant return. Waltke’s article helps us in this quest.