1:19-28 The Mission of John the Baptist
Passage: John 1:19-28 (BSB)
19 And this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, "I am not the Christ."
21 "Then who are you?" they inquired. "Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
22 So they said to him, "Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: "I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent
25 asked him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands One you do not know.
27 He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
28 All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Cross-References
| Verse | Cross-References |
|---|---|
| 19 | Luke 3:15-16; Malachi 3:1 |
| 20 | John 3:28; Acts 13:25 |
| 21 | Malachi 4:5; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:10-13 |
| 22 | |
| 23 | Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6 |
| 24 | |
| 25 | Matthew 3:11; Acts 19:4 |
| 26 | Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:31; John 1:33 |
| 27 | Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; Acts 13:25 |
| 28 | John 10:40; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22 |
Context
- Where this fits in the book: (what comes before/after)
Observation
What does the passage actually say? Read it 2-3 times before moving on.
- Key repeated words/phrases:
- Who / what / where / when:
- Connecting words (therefore, but, because, so that...):
- Contrasts or comparisons:
- Commands vs. promises:
Interpretation
What did this mean to the original audience? What is the author's main point?
- Main idea of the passage:
- Difficult words/phrases and their meaning:
- How does this point to Christ / fit the whole counsel of Scripture?
Application
What does this mean for me, today?
- Is there a sin to confess, a promise to claim, or a command to obey?
- What would change if I believed/lived this today?
- One specific action step:
Prayer
Turn what you learned into a prayer.
Notes / Questions
Anything unresolved to study further or ask someone about.
Resources
Links to online sources of information or bibliography of useful books.