John 1:21
And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John's "No" to being Elijah is a precise correction, not a denial of his true, vital role. He isn't the literal Elijah returned, but he is the one fulfilling the Spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the way as the prophets foretold.
The Jewish authorities, hearing about John the Baptist's powerful ministry, send representatives to question his identity. After John denies being the Messiah, they press him further, asking if he is Elijah or "the Prophet," expecting a significant figure to herald the Messiah's arrival, based on Old Testament prophecies. John's direct "no" to both questions prompts them to demand a clearer answer about who he is, leading him to declare himself "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."
The religious leaders of Jerusalem sent a delegation with some pretty big questions for John. They weren't just curious; they were looking for the Messiah, or at least a powerful sign.
The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were keenly aware of prophecies about the coming Messiah. When John the Baptist appeared, preaching repentance and baptizing people, he caused a stir. The people were buzzing with anticipation for the Messiah's arrival, and John's ministry seemed like a potential sign.
This is why the delegation from Jerusalem, composed of priests and Levites, asked John if he was Elijah or 'the Prophet.'
They were trying to figure out if John was fulfilling these significant prophetic roles.
John the Baptist had a monumental task, but he was crystal clear about one thing: he wasn't the main event.
John’s repeated and increasingly concise denials – 'I am not,' 'No' – are powerful. He wasn't trying to hide his identity; he was redirecting the focus.
John understood his role wasn't to be confused with the Christ or his immediate heralds. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus, making him a signpost, not the destination.
Understand the original words
Ēlias · Greek Proper Noun
The Hebrew prophet who was taken to heaven without dying, promised to return before the day of the Lord to turn the hearts of the people back to God. In the context of the New Testament, he serves as a type of the forerunner to the Messiah.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A specific figure foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-18 whom God would raise up from among the Israelites, to whom the people must listen. By the first century, this was widely understood in Jewish expectation to refer to the Messiah or a unique eschatological prophet.
The Jewish leaders' questions reveal their deep expectation of the Messiah's imminent arrival, fueled by prophecies like those of Isaiah, Moses, and Malachi. Their confusion about John's identity highlights the tension between fulfilled prophecy (John embodying Elijah's spirit) and literal interpretation (John not being the literal Elijah or the foretold Prophet/Messiah).
c. 750 BC
Isaiah prophesies new exodus
Isaiah foretells a future 'new exodus' where God will prepare a way for His people, referencing a voice crying out in the wilderness.
c. 400 BC
Malachi predicts Elijah's return
The last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, foretells that Elijah will return to prepare the way for the Day of the Lord.
c. 1450 BC
Moses predicts a great prophet
Moses speaks of a future prophet like himself, whom God will raise up from among the people. This is widely understood by scholars to refer to the Messiah.
c. 10 BC - 2 BC
Angel announces John's birth
An angel tells Zechariah that his son, John, will go before the Lord 'in the spirit and power of Elijah' to turn hearts back to God.
This passage directly prophesies the coming of Elijah before the great day of the Lord, setting up the expectation that the questioners had when they asked John if he was Elijah.
Deuteronomy 18:15This text speaks of God raising up a prophet like Moses, whom the Jews interpreted as a distinct figure from Elijah and potentially the Messiah himself, explaining their second question to John.
Matthew 11:14Jesus himself identifies John as Elijah who was to come, showing how John's denial in John 1:21 was a humble refusal to claim the literal identity, while still fulfilling the prophetic role.
Isaiah 40:3This prophetic passage is quoted by John in verse 23 as his self-identification, revealing that his purpose was to be a 'voice' preparing the way, not the awaited figures of Elijah or 'the Prophet'.
Acts 3:22This passage clarifies that the 'prophet like Moses' mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15 was ultimately understood to be Jesus, further highlighting why John would deny being 'that Prophet'.
ellicottJohn 1:21: "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No."
(21) What then? —Not “What art thou then?” but expressing surprise at the answer, and passing on with impatience to the alternative, “Art thou Elias?” (Comp. on this and the following question, Deuteronomy 18:15 ; Deuteronomy 18:18 ; Isaiah 40 ff.; Malachi 4:5 ; 2 Maccabees 2:1-8 ; and Note on Matthew 16:14 ). The angel had announced that “he shall go before Him in the…
vincentJohn 1:21: "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No."
What then? Art thou Elias?Better, as Rev., Elijah. Some authorities read, What then art thou? Elijah? Elijah, predicted in Malachi 4:5, as the forerunner of the day of the Lord.Art thou that prophet?Rev., "the prophet." According to the Greek order, the prophet art thou. See Deuteronomy 18:15, and compare Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37; John 1:46; John 6:14.NoObserve how the suc…
John's "No" to being Elijah is a precise correction, not a denial of his true, vital role. He isn't the literal Elijah returned, but he is the one fulfilling the Spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the way as the prophets foretold.
The Jewish authorities, hearing about John the Baptist's powerful ministry, send representatives to question his identity. After John denies being the Messiah, they press him further, asking if he is Elijah or "the Prophet," expecting a significant figure to herald the Messiah's arrival, based on Old Testament prophecies. John's direct "no" to both questions prompts them to demand a clearer answer about who he is, leading him to declare himself "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."
The Jewish authorities, hearing about John the Baptist's powerful ministry, send representatives to question his identity. After John denies being the Messiah, they press him further, asking if he is Elijah or "the Prophet," expecting a significant figure to herald the Messiah's arrival, based on Old Testament prophecies. John's direct "no" to both questions prompts them to demand a clearer answer about who he , leading him to declare himself "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."
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c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist begins ministry
John preaches a baptism of repentance in the wilderness of Judea, drawing large crowds and causing a stir.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jewish leaders question John
Religious authorities from Jerusalem send priests and Levites to question John about his identity and authority, hoping to understand his role in light of Messianic expectations.
"And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”" — John's "No" to being Elijah is a precise correction, not a denial of his true, vital role. He isn't the literal Elijah returned, but he is the one fulfilling the Spirit and power of Elijah, prepari…
