NOTE: There are no class notes for Sun., Sept. 12 as I was on vacation.
John 1:19-28 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? (20) And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (21) And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (22) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (23) He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (24) And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. (25) And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? (26) John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (27) He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (28) These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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In the first 18 verses, the Prologue to this Gospel narrative, the discussion is about the pre-existence of Christ, his divinity, and his humanity. Now the writer turns to the history of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
J. C. Ryle comments on the ignorance of the Pharisees who he says were looking for the advent of the Messiah. "...at this very moment their souls were in the dark." He then turns to our [his] day and says:
"It is a solemn thought that the Baptist's words in this place apply strictly to thousands in the present day. Christ is still standing among many who neither see, nor know, nor believe. Christ is passing by in many a parish and many a congregation, and the vast majority have neither an eye to see Him, nor an ear to hear Him. The spirit of slumber seems poured out upon them. Money, and pleasure, and the world they know; but they know not Christ. The kingdom of God is close to them; but they sleep. Salvation is within their reach; but they sleep. Mercy, grace, peace, heaven, eternal life, are so nigh that they might touch them; and yet they sleep. "Christ standeth among them and they know him not." These are sorrowful things to write down. But every faithful minister of Christ can testify, like John the Baptist, that they are true. ... It will be better at the last day never to have been born, that to have had Christ "standing among us" and not to have known Him."
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v. 19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
"record" = testimony
There had to have been an air of expectation because Daniel's 70 weeks were calculated out and were about to expire. Of this the scribes, Pharisees, and Saducees had to be aware — not to mention any other devout Jews living in expectation of the Messiah and redemption.
John's reputation was such that his fame had spread throughout Israel: Matthew 3:5
The priests and Levites were most likely a delegation of or from the Sanhedrin, that body of Jews that oversaw religious life in Israel.
His reputation, his popularity, his eccentric diet and manner of dress all pointed to his being someone special.
The question asked is direct and to the point: "You, who are you?"
v. 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
This verse supposes that John had been asked directly, "Are you the Christ?"
John was satisfied, pleased, to be the forerunner of Christ; he had no aspirations other than to point others to the true Messiah. His answer was emphatic: I am not the Christ.
v. 21 Are you Elijah?
They supposed that Elijah would return before the advent of Messiah
The scribes taught this.
As with the first question, this question was also answered emphatically.
Why would John answer "No" when Jesus said, Matthew 11:14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come”?
(Matthew 17:10-13) [Immediately following the transfiguration] And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" (11) And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; (12) but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." (13) Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
[This is a non-literal fulfillment of prophecy] Malachi 3:1
View #1
John fulfilled the spirit but not the letter of the prophesy. Elijah will indeed come again in person.
View #2
John fulfilled Malachi's prophecy. Those that expect an appearance of the Tishbite are looking for too much.
[NOTE: the New Testament interprets the Old.]
Are you that Prophet?
ο προφητης = the, that prophet
Some thought it might be Jeremiah. Jewish tradition said he would come back to life. Others thought perhaps it might be Moses.
Deuteronomy 18:15; Deuteronomy 18:18 cf.: Act_3:22-23
"That prophet" is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.
v. 22 This delegation had come a long way — about 26 miles
They did not want to go back empty-handed
v. 23
Isa_40:3 applied by the synoptists to John the Baptist; here used by the Baptist of himself.
Barnes: “In ancient times, it was customary in the march of armies to send messengers, or pioneers, before them to proclaim their approach; to provide for them; to remove obstructions; to make roads, level hills, fill up valleys...”
Another non-literal fulfillment of prophecy
wilderness = barrenness, unproductive; here used symbolically of Israel
John's ministry and commission was to prepare the way for the Messiah by preaching repentance .
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