John 1:20-21 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-23

The Jewish deputation and the Baptist. Notice— I. THE DEPUTATION 'S QUESTION . "Who art thou?" This implies: 1 . That a spirit of inquiry trod been awakened. Whether from curiosity, officialism, or jealousy, it was there. It is better to be questioned from any motive than not to be questioned at all. It is better for the questioners themselves. That is a very dull age or person that asks no questions. Asking is the condition of receiving. It is better for the one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-28

The second testimony of John the Baptist. A deputation, consisting of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem, the ecclesiastical centre of Judaism, visited the Baptist as he was baptizing disciples at Bethany beyond Jordan, for the purpose of ascertaining whether he was the Messiah or the forerunner, of ancient prophecy. The scene is interesting as the place where the first disciples were made and the foundation of the Christian Church laid. The interview occurred after the baptism and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-28

A disclaimer and a claim. When our Lord Jesus came into this world, he did not come as one isolated from the race he designed to save. He condescended to take his place—the most honourable place—in a long and illustrious succession. He superseded the last prophet of the old dispensation; he commissioned the first prophets of the new. The herald and forerunner of our Lord perfectly comprehended his own relation to his Master, and felt it a dignity to occupy a position of Divine appointment,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-34

2. The testimony of the Baptist. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:20

And he confessed, and denied not . Perhaps the double form of statement, or rather the introduction of the clause, "he denied not," before the repetition of the confession with its contents, was adopted to, indicate that John might have been tempted to "deny" that he was not the Christ. If he had hesitated at all, he would have denied the real Christ, the Son of God, who had been revealed to him by special means. I for my part —very emphatic— am £ not the Christ. This implies, not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:20-21

(1) He deflates his own position, negatively. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:21

And they asked him, What then? What is the state of the case? The very repudiation of Messiahship in this form seems to imply some association with the Messianic period of which they had so many conflicting ideas. Malachi ( Malachi 4:5 ) had predicted the coming again from heaven of Elijah the prophet, and the LXX ., by translating the passage "Elijah the Tishbite," had strengthened the common mistake of a metempsychosis, or such an abnormal manifestation before the coming of Messiah.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:20

I am not the Christ - This confession proves that John was not an impostor. He had a wide reputation. The nation was expecting that the Messiah was about to come, and multitudes were ready to believe that John was he, Luke 3:15. If John had been an impostor he would have taken advantage of this excited state of public feeling, proclaimed himself to be the Messiah, and formed a large party in his favor. The fact that he did not do it is full proof that he did not intend to impose on people, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:21

Art thou Elias? - This is the Greek way of writing Elijah. The Jews expected that Elijah would appear before the Messiah came. See the notes at Matthew 11:14. They supposed that it would be the real Elijah returned from heaven. In this sense John denied that he was Elijah; but he did not deny that he was the Elias or Elijah which the prophet intended Matthew 3:3, for he immediately proceeds to state John 1:23 that he was sent, as it was predicted that Elijah would be, to prepare the way of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:19-23

John 1:19-23. And this is the record of John This is the testimony which he bare publicly to Jesus; when the Jews Namely, the senate, or great council of the nation; sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem Persons of the first consideration for learning and office; to ask him, Who art thou What character dost thou assume to thyself? It is probable, that the reason why the sanhedrim sent these persons, was their having been informed that the Baptist’s extraordinary sanctity, zeal, and... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-23

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:19-34

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:20-21

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:19-23

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