John 1:19–23

Read the passage.

I find it interesting that the Gospel of John talks a lot about John the Baptist in this first chapter, but doesn’t go into details about who he was or what he was preaching to the people. We get insights into his role in redemptive history, but not much else. Compare to the Synoptic Gospels, particularly Luke, where we get an idea of his message and why people thought he was a big deal. Instead, we get the reaction of the religious leaders first. They recognize that John is drawing crowds, preaching, and baptizing people. Perhaps they can even tell there is something like a spiritual revival happening, and they want to know more. Remember that all the Jews are expecting the Messiah to show up at any time. God hasn’t sent a prophet for 400 years, and the Romans are oppressing their country, so any indication that God is working in people’s lives would be welcome.

So, they ask John, “Who are you?” John knows what he is supposed to do, but actually gives a wrong answer to them. He denies being the Christ, or Messiah—correct. He denies being Elijah—literally correct, but metaphorically incorrect. He also denies being the Prophet, that is, the “prophet like Moses” who was to come. (Deut. 18:15) We know that John is the “Elijah who is to come” because Jesus says to the crowd that he did in Matthew 11:14, even though he is not literally Elijah, nor a reincarnation of him or anything like that.

John instead says he is the messenger, or herald, of the Messiah. He quotes Isaiah as his commission to “make straight the way of the Lord”. Whenever dignitaries or officials travelled, they would send a forerunner ahead to the town or manor where they would be staying the night. This messenger would announce the impending arrival of the personage and make sure that everything was in order for them and their entourage to be comfortable and cared for. Even today, state visits are formal occasions, and a lot of planning and preparations are done to make sure everything goes correctly. This was John’s role: to prepare the hearts of those who would soon see the Messiah so that they would react appropriately. The Pharisee’s thought they were ready. They didn’t understand God’s true purpose in sending John or the Messiah.

Prepare our hearts to be Your temple, to be worthy of Your dwelling place.