Keraia
John 1

John 1:21

The Mission of John the Baptist · John 1:19–28
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Translations

Modern
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
Traditional
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Literal
And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he says, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
Latin
Et interrogaverunt eum: Quid ergo? Elias es tu? Et dixit: Non sum. Propheta es tu? Et respondit: Non.

Interlinear

Greek
English
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Notes

John 1:21

  • The people expected Elijah to come before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). John the Baptist fulfilled this role as the forerunner (the one who prepares the way). However, John said that he was not Elijah himself (see Matthew 11:14; Luke 1:17).

  • Are you the Prophet?: Compare John 6:14; 7:40–41.

John 1:19–12:50

Jesus reveals himself to the world through his miracles and teachings. People reacted differently:

  • Some wanted to believe in him.

  • Others opposed him.

This division becomes more obvious as the book continues. Jesus ended his public ministry with a final call for people to believe in him (12:44–50).

John 1:19–51

John’s Gospel focuses less on John the Baptist compared to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 1:1–24, 57–80; 3:1–13). However, the apostle John wants us to understand that John the Baptist correctly identified and honored Jesus.

John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. Jesus continued the work that John had begun. As the ministry of Jesus grew, John’s ministry became smaller, just as John had said (John 3:30).

Events

Parallels

Isaiah 40:1–5 Matthew 3:1–12 Mark 1:1–8 Luke 3:1–20

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) John the Baptist John, Gospel of Prophecy Witness

Topics

Elijah: Antitype of John the Baptist Jesus, the Christ: Testimony of John the Baptist Concerning (At Bethabara) True Prophet