“And John specifically denied being Elijah. To me, the leading candidates are, chronologically, Enoch, Moses and Elijah.”
And Jesus specifically identified him as fulfilling that prophecy.
Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come.
Matthew 17:12
And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”
I’ll take Jesus’ word over John the Baptist’s self-opinion.
I agree fully that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah—thought that was obvious.