The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:20-21
(1) He deflates his own position, negatively. read more
John 1:19-22 Niv
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
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
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:22
They said therefore (note the demonstrative force of οὖν ) to him (as a consequence of his repeated threefold negative), Who art thou? Explain yourself, that we may give an answer to those who sent us (see note, John 20:21 , on the two verbs ἀποστέλλω and πέμπω ); What sayest thou concerning thyself? Our suppositions about thee are all repudiated one by one, hast thou any information to render to the supreme court of judicature? read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:22-23
(2) He defines his position, positively. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:19
This is the record - The word “record” here means “testimony,” in whatever way given. The word “record” now commonly refers to “written” evidence. This is not its meaning here. John’s testimony was given without writing.When the Jews sent - John’s fame was great. See Matthew 3:5. It spread from the region of Galilee to Jerusalem, and the nation seemed to suppose, from the character of his preaching, that he was the Messiah, Luke 3:15. The great council of the nation, or the Sanhedrin, had,... 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
Donald C. Fleming
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:19-28
15. Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-17; John 1:19-28)The preaching of John soon attracted opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. They sent representatives to question him and then report back on what he taught and who he claimed to be. John denied that he was promoting himself as some new leader in Israel. He did not consider himself to be either the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15,Deuteronomy 18:18 or the ‘Elijah’ promised in Malachi 4:5. He was only a... read more
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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