E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:20
and denied not. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emphasis. denied. Greek arneomai. In John only here, and John 18:25 , John 18:27 . but = and. the Christ = the Messiah. App-98 . read more
John-1:20-21-asv
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:21
What then? = What then [are we to say]? Elias = Elijah. Referring to Malachi 4:5 . that prophet = the prophet. Referring to Deuteronomy 18:18 , Compare Acts 3:22 , Acts 3:23 . No . Greek. ou. App-105 . read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 1:21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? and he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.John the Baptist was called Elijah by Christ himself (Matthew 17:12), and this raises the question of why John here denied it. This is another example of the kind of "contradiction" which so delights some of the critics. Literally, John the Baptist was NOT Elijah, and John's literal answer WAS literally true. Typically and spiritually, John the Baptist was THAT Elijah foretold in... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 1:19-20
John 1:19-20. And this is the record of John, &c.— These verses would be better rendered thus, Now this is the testimony of John, (mentioned John 1:15.) When the Jews sent priests, &c. Joh 1:20 then he confessed, &c. The rulers at Jerusalem having been informed, that the Baptist's extraordinary sanctity, zeal, and eloquence, together with the solemnity of his baptizing, had made so great an impression on the people, that they were beginning to think he might be the Messiah, resolved... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 1:21
John 1:21. Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not.— It is plain by this question, that they were strangers to the parentage of John the Baptist: and with regard to the reply that he makes to this inquiry,there is no scruple to be made, but that the Baptist might justly deny that he was Elijah; that is, the true and real Elijah, whom the Jews expected personally to return before the coming of the Messiah, though he came in his spirit and power. See on Luke 1:17. The Baptist therefore might truly... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 1:20
20. confessed, &c.—that is, While many were ready to hail him as the Christ, he neither gave the slightest ground for such views, nor the least entertainment to them. read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 1:21
21. Elias—in His own proper person. that prophet—announced in Deuteronomy 18:15, &c., about whom they seem not to have been agreed whether he were the same with the Messiah or no. read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-28
1. John the Baptist’s veiled testimony to Jesus 1:19-28The writer recorded John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus’ identity as preparation for his narration of Jesus’ public ministry. He was the first of the Apostle John’s witnesses to the Incarnation.Previously the writer had mentioned that God had sent John the Baptist to bear witness concerning the light (John 1:6-8). He also mentioned what John had said about Jesus, namely, that Jesus had a higher rank than he did (John 1:15). Now the... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-50
II. JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY 1:19-12:50The first part of the body of John’s Gospel records Jesus’ public ministry to the multitudes in Palestine, who were primarily Jewish. Some writers have called this section of the Gospel "the book of signs" because it features seven miracles that signify various things about Jesus."Signs are miraculous works performed or mentioned to illustrate spiritual principles." [Note: Tenney, "The Symphonic . . .," p. 119. See also idem, "Topics from the Gospel of... read more
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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