To summarize previous posts, God’s Word, or expressed idea, became a man and lived for awhile among us. Everything God wanted us to know about himself and what’s important to him – he expressed in his Son. Now, in act one, the author starts not by introducing who “the Word” is – but begins with who he isn’t.

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” (John 1:19-21)

The first scene in John’s Gospel starts with John the Baptist in the spotlight. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem send priests and Levites to question John.

Threat Assessment
The Jewish leaders were probably members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews in Judea. Judea at this time is a Roman province, ruled by the prefect Pontius Pilate who was appointed by the Roman Emperor Tiberius. The Sanhedrin, however, governed many of the affairs of its own people, so long as they continued to govern well in the eyes of Rome. Governing well meant, among other things, keeping peace in the province so Rome would not have to commit more troops. It was a charged political atmosphere, so the Sanhedrin needed to vet John the Baptist. They feared he might gather a critical mass of followers and lead an uprising or revolt.

The Levites were members of the tribe of Israel known for priesthood. They asked John if he was the Messiah, or Elijah, or “the Prophet.” The Prophet seems to be a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15-19 where it is prophesied that one day God will raise up another leader like Moses to lead his people. In each case John the Baptist said “No.”

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:22-23)

The delegation did not want to return to the Sanhedrin without a report, so they pressed for an answer. John replies that he is the forerunner for the Lord as prophesied in Isaiah 40. If you read the verse just after the one in Isaiah 40 he quotes, you find Isaiah announcing that the glory of the Lord is about to be revealed.

Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:24-28)

Who do you think you are?
The delegation consisted of Pharisees as well. This Jewish sect was a remarkable one. They exercised an influence at this time that far exceeded their numbers. Rome’s Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote that there were never more than 6000 or so. We will learn more about the Pharisees in Chapter 3, but suffice it to say they were a sect known for its incredible dedication to keeping the Jewish law.

John the Baptist was an extremely popular preacher whose public ministry preceded and overlapped Jesus’ ministry for a time. His popularity, as well as his habit of baptizing his followers, alarmed the Jewish leaders. Baptism was known in this time for Gentiles wanting to convert to Judaism – but that was a self-administered baptism. John the Baptist personally administering baptism of his followers was seen by the Pharisees as him presuming a prophetic right. The time was a volatile one in Judea, and the Sanhedrin could not be too careful in following up on leaders who were becoming very popular with the people.

John the Baptist responds not by answering their question, but by making a point he wanted to make – one in keeping with his mission. He announces to this delegation that the one they are looking for, the one that he is the forerunner to, is actually here now “among you” even though he is “one you do not know.”