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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 1:21 - 1:21
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And they asked him (kai ērōtēsan auton). Here the paratactic kai is like the transitional oun (then).
What then? (Ti oun). Argumentative oun like Paul’s ti oun in Rom 6:15. Quid ergo?
Art thou Elijah? (Su Elias ei). The next inevitable question since Elijah had been understood to be the forerunner of the Messiah from Mal 4:5. In Mar 9:11. Jesus will identify John with the Elijah of Malachi’s prophecy. Why then does John here flatly deny it? Because the expectation was that Elijah would return in person. This John denies. Jesus only asserts that John was Elijah in spirit. Elijah in person they had just seen on the Mount of Transfiguration.
He saith (legei). Vivid dramatic present.
I am not (ouk eimi). Short and blunt denial.
Art thou the prophet? (ho prophētēs ei su). “The prophet art thou?” This question followed naturally the previous denials. Moses (Deu 18:15) had spoken of a prophet like unto himself. Christians interpreted this prophet to be the Messiah (Act 3:22; Act 7:37), but the Jews thought him another forerunner of the Messiah (Joh 7:40). It is not clear in Joh 6:15 whether the people identified the expected prophet with the Messiah, though apparently so. Even the Baptist later became puzzled in prison whether Jesus himself was the true Messiah or just one of the forerunners (Luk 7:19). People wondered about Jesus himself whether he was the Messiah or just one of the looked for prophets (Mar 8:28; Mat 16:14).
And he answered (kai apekrithē). First aorist passive (deponent passive, sense of voice gone) indicative of apokrinomai, to give a decision from myself, to reply.
No (Ou). Shortest possible denial.