John 1:19

The record of John. [Jesus Declared “the Lamb of God,” John 1:19-34. See Early Ministry and Baptism to First Passover.] That is, his testimony concerning the Christ, on: (1) the day the delegation from Jerusalem came to investigate him (vs. 19-28), (2) the day following, when he publicly identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (vs. 29-34), and (3) the third day, when he privately introduced two of his own disciples to Jesus (vs. 35, 36). John the evangelist begins his gospel narrative with an account of the witness of the forerunner to the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth. Compare Matt. 3:1,2; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:1-6; Acts 10:37, 38; see on Luke 3:15-18.

When the Jews sent. That is, the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish authority of the time (cf. chs. 5:15-18; 7:13; 9:22; 18:12; see p. 67). The questions now put to John reflect the high esteem in which he was held by the people generally (Matt. 14:5; 21:26), and the serious attention given by the leaders to the popular belief that he was a prophet, and might, perhaps, even be the Messiah (see Luke 3:15). The extent of John’s influence is apparent from the fact that his audience included not only vast throngs of the common people (Matt. 3:5), but the religious (v. 7) and political (see Matt. 14:4; DA 214) leaders of the nation as well. Excitement had reached such a height that the Sanhedrin could no longer evade the issue. The people had no doubt pressed their leaders for an answer to the very questions with which the delegation now challenged John. Presumably (see on John 1:25), the leaders would acknowledge the right of a prophet, as a spokesman direct from God, to teach without their authorization, once the validity of his credentials was established (see on Matt. 12:38; 16:1). Otherwise, they exercised the right to control all public teaching (see Mishnah Sanhedrin 11, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 558-600).

Priests and Levites. See on Ex. 28:1; Deut. 10:8. Although most of the priests and Levites were Sadducees, this delegation was composed of Pharisees (see on John 1:24), perhaps because they felt more concern over the matter. Similarly, it was the Pharisees who later harassed Jesus. Perhaps priests and Levites were assigned to investigate John out of consideration for the fact that his father had been a priest, and his mother the daughter of a priest (Luke 1:5). John was himself eligible to the priesthood, and thus to become a teacher.

From Jerusalem. Perhaps some 25 mi. distant.

Who art thou? Literally, “You, who are you?” They were not concerned with John’s identity as an individual, but with his authority to preach and teach (see v. 25). Later, the authorities put the same question to Jesus (eh. 8:25). Perhaps the delegation half expected John to claim he was the Messiah. Their question apparently reflected this expectation, for John’s answer was a forthright denial of such a claim (ch. 1:20; cf. DA 134).