John 1:19-28 The Testimony of John
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Observations
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” Whenever John uses the term, “the Jews”, he is referring to the Jewish leaders (Pharisees and/or Saducees) who are in opposition. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah (a priest), a descendant of Aaron and was therefore from the tribe of Levi. Because he remained in the wilderness until he was called by the Holy Spirit to begin preaching, it is doubtful that he followed in his father’s priestly footsteps. John’s preaching drew many followers. His popularity among the Jewish people and the fact that he was baptizing aroused the suspicions of the Jewish leaders. Jealousy also may have played a part in their interest in John.
From a Jew’s perspective, there were only 4 possibilities for the identity of John: 1) the Messiah, 2) the Prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15, 3) Elijah (Malachi 4:5), 4) a false prophet.
20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” The question of whether John was the Messiah was foremost in their minds. The Jews had been long expecting and looking for a Messiah. But John quickly denies that he is the Messiah. They then question whether he is Elijah. Why Elijah? They believed that Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return before the Messiah came. Malachi 4:5-6 reads: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Based on this scripture and the fact that Elijah never died, but was taken up into heaven, there was a prevailing belief that Elijah would be brought down to earth again when the Messiah returned. But John denies this claim also.
The Jews then ask John whether he is the Prophet. Who is this “Prophet” they speak of. The Pharisees knew the Old Testament extremely well and Deuteronomy 18:15 would have been in their minds. It reads:
15“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
God says in this passage that “you shall listen to him”. In the New Testament, God says of Jesus, “This is my Son. Listen to Him.” (see Luke 9:35, Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7). Jesus’ lineage was Jewish, from the tribe of Judah, also in agreement with the above scripture. It certainly seems rational and reasonable for the Jews to wonder if indeed this is the Prophet that is spoken of in this passage.
Application Point
The Jewish traditions and culture kept the Jewish people focused on the coming Messiah. Their traditions helped to keep their focus on the coming of a Savior. What do we focus on? Do we keep the things of God in the forefront of our minds and souls? It is so easy to become enmeshed in the materialism of the United States, to become anxious about our health and our access to healthcare. Technology and life schedules demands that we develop an ability to balance our time carefully else we lose sight of the things that are truly important. Make no mistake, how we spend our time, determines what we become. If we spend inordinate amounts of time pursuing the next vacation, our appearance, material things, sexual pleasures….then we become enmeshed in the lower stories, in temporal things, drifting into a life void of meaning and purpose, putting ourselves at risk of losing our salvation. Keeping an eternal focus can be difficult but it is infinitely valuable to the quality of the life we live now and the life to come.
He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. Finally John tells them who he is by referencing a scripture from Isaiah 40:3. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” This scripture
Albert Barnes, in his 1851 commentary on Isaiah, “The idea is taken from the practice of Eastern monarchs, who, whenever they entered on a journey or an expedition, especially through a barren and unfrequented or inhospitable country, sent harbingers [forerunners] or heralds before them to prepare the way. To do this, it was necessary for them to provide supplies, and make bridges, or find fording places over the streams; to level hills, and construct causeways over valleys, or fill them up; and to make a way through the forest which might lie in their intended line of march. “
The voice prophesied in this verse is John the Baptist (see Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:4; and John 1:23). As an Eastern monarch or king sends out people to physically smooth the roads and valleys, so God, our king, sent John the Baptist to smooth the spiritual roads and valleys, the hearts, of the Jewish people, to prepare the coming of Jesus.
Application Point
It should be a source of comfort that God’s plan of redemption started way before the coming of Jesus to earth. From the beginning of creation, God had a plan to redeem mankind. This plan is revealed and woven throughout the Old and New Testament scriptures, culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus. This plan of God Almighty shows his incredible power and love in securing our salvation so that we can live with Him forever. God is not required to save anyone, but He chose to do so, at His own expense.
John clearly knew his purpose, to announce the Messiah and prepare the people’s hearts to receive Him. John served us well through his obedience to the Holy Spirit. John’s main message to repent and be baptized leads to salvation.
Typically only Gentiles were baptized when they converted to Judaism. The Jewish leaders took offense at John, who was using a rite saved for Gentiles, on the Jewish people. This was offensive. John used the rite of baptism as a symbol of repentance.
Application Point
We talk excitedly about the things that matter to us and the things we are fired up about. Do we talk about the truths of the bible to others? We, as believers, have knowledge about who Jesus is and about the wrath that is to come for those who do not trust in Jesus. We have been set free from the law. We know that we cannot possibly earn our way into God’s favor. This truth has set us free!!! Does this reality compel us to share this truth with others? Whether we realize it or not, Christ asked us to blaze a trail in the lives of those around us, by pointing them to Jesus. How do we point them to Christ? We get to know them, love them and talk about spiritual matters-the things that really matter.
In the great commission Jesus commands us to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19. Of our role in being a forerunner for others, Mike Ford says it beautifully, “Our words and deeds could well pave the way for any of them [unbelievers]to answer God’s call at another time. Each of us has opportunities to set an example that will affect their lives, hopefully in a positive way. ” [1]
26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. One of the things that is so refreshing about John the Baptist is his humility. He knew his position, his mission and purpose. He was not the Messiah. Not even close. He realized the beauty, reality and the purpose of the Messiah. He realized his place, that he was created by Christ, not the Creator. He was content with this knowledge and obeyed the call. John is a great example of obedience and servanthood.
Application Point
Where are we in regards to our humility? Do we tend to seek our own happiness, acting as though the world revolves around us? How often does serving others occupy our time? How much of our purpose, thoughts, actions contain an eternal perspective? Asking these types of questions helps us take inventory of our hearts and minds. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, came to serve us. How are we doing in our service to those around us?
For more information on the questioning of John the Baptist by the Pharisees, see https://www.gotquestions.org/life-John-Baptist.html
https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Home.showBerean/BereanID/8588/Isaiah-40-3-5.htm
1-Mike Ford; Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness, Forerunner, Ready Answer – May/June 2011
by Mike Ford
Forerunner, “Ready Answer,” May-June 2011
[Note: The Sanhedrin was a judicial council or court, made up of 71 rabbis and was located close to the Temple. They passed laws and decrees for the entire Jewish nation, controlled holy sites and the courtyard of the Temple, appointed judges to lesser courts, had authority over cases involving crimes committed by the high priest, crimes committed by lower priests, tribes or cities.]