College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
John 1:19-22
THE JEWS INVESTIGATE JOHN'S IDENTITY
Text 1:19-22
19
And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, who art thou?
20
And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.
21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22
They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
Queries
a.
What are Levites?
b.
Why ask John the Baptist about Elijah and the prophet?
c.
Why would the committee need an answer?
Paraphrase
Now this is what John testified, when the Jewish Sanhedrin sent priests and Levites to John to obtain an answer from him concerning his identity, and they asked him, Who are you? And John vigorously and fully declared, I am not the Christ. Then they asked him, What then is the case? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not Elijah as you look for him, Are you the prophet like unto Moses? And he answered, No! Then they said to him, Tell us then just who you are, for we must have an answer to take back to them that sent us. Tell us, what do you say about yourself?
Summary
The Jewish leaders demand to know whether John the Baptist is the Messiah, Elijah or the prophet. John denies all three identities.
Comment
The Sanhedrin, largely controlled by the Pharisees, was the religious authority of that day. It was a council of 70 or 71 learned and influential religious leaders. The council was a mixture of Pharisees (strict law-keeperstraditionalists), Sadducees (skeptics, worldly, politicians), and Scribes (interpreters, lawyers). In the committee that was investigating John there were also Levites. The Levites were a sort of secondary priesthood. They performed the more menial tasks of the temple service, baking bread, leading temple music, etc. One of their main functions was to enforce the Law. They were the temple police force, and they carried out the sentences of the Sanhedrin when punishment was to be inflicted.
This great, magnetic, eccentric character was attracting multitudes. Crowds were trekking into the wilderness just to hear him preach. The whole nation was on tiptoe expectation because of his powerful message (Luke 3:15). Thus the rulers of the Jews felt they must take this matter in hand before certain religious and political repercussions occurred. There had been certain religious fanatics before who claimed to be the Messiah (cf. Acts 5:36-37). These had mustered a small force of followers and revolted against their conquerors, only to suffer disastrous results to themselves and the nation at large. A revolt now, touched off by John the Baptist against Rome, would be disastrous. The Sanhedrin might be deposed! In fact, some of them might even loose their heads! This is what Caiaphas had reference to when he said of Christ, it was expedient that one man should die for the people (John 18:14). Basically, this is why the rulers crucified Jesus. They feared that the popularity of Jesus might cause revolt and subsequent Roman intervention (John 11:48). They would lose their hold on the nation's purse strings.
In addition to the fear of revolt, the rulers were interested in questioning John because of his frankness. He had said some very candid and revealing things about Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7). Sending the Levites along indicates this committee would stand for no more attacks upon the character of the illustrious Doctors of Divinity of that day.
So they began their questioning by asking him if he was the Messiah. John emphatically stated that he was not the Messiah. The word used for confess in John 1:20 is homologeo which literally means to speak the same thing; to agree. Thus John's denial that he was the Christ was in perfect agreement with the truth. When we learn that we must confess Christ in order to be saved (Matthew 10:32-33), it means that our lives and our words must speak the same things, or agree with, the commandments of the Lord (cf. Romans 10:9-10). To confess Christ is not the mere mouthing of Scripture, formula or creed, but a profession by both word and action 1 (cf. James 1:22; 1 John 3:17-18).
What a man of God this John was! He willingly and joyfully kept himself in the background in order that all might see the only Son of God. The Baptist was what every true follower of Christ ought to bea servant willing to lay all the acclaim and honor given him of men at the feet of Jesus.
If you are not the Messiah, then you must be Elijah! This was the next conclusion of the investigating committee. The Jews had a tradition that Elijah was to precede the Messiah and that he, Elijah returned in the flesh, was to set all matters aright. He was even to settle disputes between property owners and money lenders. They taught that anything disputed must wait until Elijah comes. Of course, this is merely tradition, but is probably based on Malachi 4:5. They expected a literal, flesh-and blood Elijah to come and prepare the way for the Messiah. Therefore, John's denial here does not contradict Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:9-13, or Luke 1:17, where John the Baptist is said to have come in the spirit and the power of Elijah.
COMPARISON OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ELIJAH
Elijah
John
1.
Place of abode
Hide thyself by the brook (1 Kings 17:3).
In deserts (Matthew 3:1).
2.
Food
Ravens fed him (1 Kings 17:6).
Locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).
3.
Appearance
Hairy man (2 Kings 1:8).
Raiment of camel's hair (Matthew 3:4).
4.
Message
Calamity to nation; call to Repentance (1 Kings 18:39).
Judgment to come; call to Repentance (Matthew 3:4).
5.
Influence Over Multitudes
Personality tremendous and compelling (1 Kings 18:1-46).
Brought whole nation into wilderness (Matthew 3:5; Luke 3:15).
6.
Firey wrath on Enemies of True Religion
(Matthew 3:7).
7.
In the presence of Kings
Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21:19).
Herod and Herodias (Matthew 14:4).
8.
Rage of an Evil Woman
Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2).
Herodias (Matthew 14:5-8).
9.
The Dark Hour
(1 Kings 19:4).
(Matthew 11:2).
10.
Extraordinary End of Career
(2 Kings 2:11).
11.
Loyalty of Disciples
The next question by these Jews was, Are you the Prophet? Moses had promised them the Prophet, like unto himself (cf. Deuteronomy 18:15). This was a promise that the Jews taught their children as soon as they were old enough to understand, It was a promise no Jew ever forgot, Moses was their great deliverer, and ever since the captivities of the Jews they longed for the Prophet, Who they prayed would deliver them from their oppressions. Maybe the Jews thought the Prophet was another forerunner of the Messiah (John 7:40)maybe they thought he was to be the Messiah Himself. Whatever their ideas, John denied being the Prophet. It seems that even John himself was later puzzled as to whether Jesus was only a forerunner, and questioned whether he should look for another (Luke 7:19).
This delegation from Jerusalem was getting nowhere fast! Their mission thus far was a failure, John's flat denial will not satisfy the powers that be. They must bring an answer or suffer censure and embarrassment. The manner in which they ask, and the admitted purpose of their questioning shows they were not at all interested in the message of John and what it should mean to their spiritual condition. All they ask is, What do you claim to bethe Sanhedrin wants to know?
Quiz
1.
Name three religious parties that make up the Sanhedrin?
2.
Why would the Jewish rulers fear revolt against Rome?
3.
What is the full import of the word confess?
4.
In how many ways does John the Baptist compare with Elijah?
5.
Give the Scripture references for Old Testament promises of Elijah that was to come, and the Prophet like unto Moses.