The religious leaders demand John’s identity, and he affirms he is only a voice preparing for Christ’s arrival.
Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (v.22). These words come from a delegation of priests and Levites, sent from Jerusalem to question John the Baptist’s identity. John the Baptist (c. 6 BC - c. AD 30) was proclaiming a baptism of repentance near the Jordan River, and his ministry drew enough attention that religious leaders felt compelled to learn who he claimed to be. The region where this took place is described elsewhere in the chapter as “Bethany beyond the Jordan,” a location east of the Jordan River, distinct from the Bethany near Jerusalem. This indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry happened outside the central religious authority of Jerusalem, in a more remote place where crowds nonetheless gathered to hear his call to repentance.
In Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (v.22), the leaders insist that John identify himself publicly. Their question hints that the people speculated John might be the Christ, Elijah, or another prophet returned from the past. As the final prophet who would herald the coming of Jesus (Matthew 17:12), John fulfilled a significant role in God’s plan, bridging the Old Testament prophetic tradition with the emergence of the New Testament promise manifested in Jesus Christ. His calling was to prepare hearts for the coming Messiah, making the claim of being the Messiah himself impossible since his entire purpose was to point to another.
This verse also highlights John’s humble perspective. The religious authorities’ inquiry reveals a desire to categorize or label him. Yet John consistently deflects attention away from himself and toward the one who was “before” him (John 1:15). By doing so, John exemplifies the servant’s heart that paves the way for Christ’s ministry, showing us that one’s identity in God’s plan is often less about self and more about directing others toward Jesus.
John redirects his audience to the coming Messiah, reminding them that his purpose was not to garner personal acclaim but to prepare the way for the Lord.
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John 1:22 meaning
Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (v.22). These words come from a delegation of priests and Levites, sent from Jerusalem to question John the Baptist’s identity. John the Baptist (c. 6 BC - c. AD 30) was proclaiming a baptism of repentance near the Jordan River, and his ministry drew enough attention that religious leaders felt compelled to learn who he claimed to be. The region where this took place is described elsewhere in the chapter as “Bethany beyond the Jordan,” a location east of the Jordan River, distinct from the Bethany near Jerusalem. This indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry happened outside the central religious authority of Jerusalem, in a more remote place where crowds nonetheless gathered to hear his call to repentance.
In Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (v.22), the leaders insist that John identify himself publicly. Their question hints that the people speculated John might be the Christ, Elijah, or another prophet returned from the past. As the final prophet who would herald the coming of Jesus (Matthew 17:12), John fulfilled a significant role in God’s plan, bridging the Old Testament prophetic tradition with the emergence of the New Testament promise manifested in Jesus Christ. His calling was to prepare hearts for the coming Messiah, making the claim of being the Messiah himself impossible since his entire purpose was to point to another.
This verse also highlights John’s humble perspective. The religious authorities’ inquiry reveals a desire to categorize or label him. Yet John consistently deflects attention away from himself and toward the one who was “before” him (John 1:15). By doing so, John exemplifies the servant’s heart that paves the way for Christ’s ministry, showing us that one’s identity in God’s plan is often less about self and more about directing others toward Jesus.
John redirects his audience to the coming Messiah, reminding them that his purpose was not to garner personal acclaim but to prepare the way for the Lord.