Jesus said no one had gone into heaven except the Son of Man, but what about Elijah?

I've found two verses which seem to be contradictory, so I'm hoping someone can explain how they can be reconciled. > No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. *(John 3:13, NIV)* > > As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. *(2 Kings 2:11, NIV)* Jesus was well-versed in the Old Testament, so why would he say what he did in John 3:13? Is it possible that this was just a nasty tornado and Elijah was just not to be found (or elaborate metaphor for a "whirlwind" of an attack, ripping up dust like fire, from enemies and he was killed or kidnapped and killed)? Note that the NLT adds "and returned": > No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. *(John 3:13, NLT)* But I don't know warranted this addition is, as [no other translations have it](http://biblehub.com/john/3-13.htm) .