John 1:25

Translations

Modern

…asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

Traditional

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

Literal

…and they asked him and said to him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

Latin

Et interrogaverunt eum, et dixerunt ei: Quid ergo baptizas, si tu non es Christus, neque Elias, neque propheta?

Original

Greek

English

…asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

Notes

John 1:25–26

Jewish baptisms were ritual washings for becoming ceremonially pure following contact with impurity (Leviticus 8:6; Numbers 19:7).
John announced the Christ's arrival and required participants to confess their sins and be baptized (Matthew 3:6). Baptism later became the symbol of membership in the kingdom of God (Acts 2:38; see also John 4:1–2).

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah John the Baptist The Pharisees Baptism John’s Profile of Discipleship

Events

John's Witnessc. AD 27

Related verses

Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.
John 1:20–22
He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
Acts 5:28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”
Matthew 21:23
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
Acts 4:5–7
The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
Daniel 9:24–26
Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

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 Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

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

Topics

Baptism: John's Elijah: Antitype of John the Baptist Jesus, the Christ: Testimony of John the Baptist Concerning (At Bethabara) John: Mission of

John 1:25

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