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John 1:19–34 The Voice in the Wilderness These verses are a record of the witness John gave to the priests and Levites that were sent from Jerusalem. 1:19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" The fame of John the Baptist had spread throughout all Judea and to Jerusalem (Matt 3:5). On hearing the substance of John’s fiery preaching, and that he was baptising people in water, the Sanhedrin sent priests and Levites to determine whether he was the Christ, the anointed one of God who had been promised in the Scriptures (Luke 3:15). Notice that they were very cautious in their question. They did not directly ask if he was the Christ, but ‘who are you?’ Other gospel writers reveal that John was critical of the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to see him (Matt 3:7; Luke 3:7). 1:20 He confessed — he did not deny but confessed — "I am not the Christ!" John, however, was did not shy away from the question but openly acknowledged that he was not the Christ, for he understood his own role to be that of the one who would prepare the way for the Christ. 1:21 So they asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not!" "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No!" When they further questioned him if he was the prophet Elijah (they doubtless had the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 in mind), he answered them ‘no’. 1:22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" They were still not satisfied with his answers, for he had not yet told them who he was and so they had no report to give to their superiors; so once more they asked him to give an account of himself.