A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
19 And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet? “He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John the Evangelist introduces John the Baptist as "a man sent from God," identifying him as a divinely appointed figure with a clear mission to "testify to the light" (a term used symbolically for Christ). The evangelist emphasized that John the Baptist (JBap) was not the light but a herald pointing to the light. Jesus is described as the "true light" (John 1:9) that brings enlightenment and salvation to the world. John’s testimony serves the purpose of pointing all to the light so that people might come to faith in Him.
In (Jn. 1:19-23) begins with an official inquiry from the religious authorities in Jerusalem (priests and Levites). The Jews (the religious leadership) seek to identify John the Baptist and determine his role. Their questions reveal messianic expectations deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy. “Are you the Messiah?”—directly references the long-anticipated figure foretold in the Old Testament. The reference to Elijah stems from the prophecy in Malachi 3:23-24. Elijah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets who, according to 2 Kings 2:11, was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire without experiencing death. Because of this, many Jews believed Elijah would physically return to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. “Are you the Prophet?”—refers to the expectation of a prophetic figure like Moses, foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-18. JBap identifies himself with Isaiah 40:3, “the voice of one crying out in the desert.” His mission is to call people to repentance and readiness for the coming of the Lord. As a herald of God’s imminent kingdom, John fulfills the prophetic role of figures like Elijah and Moses.
In (Jn. 1:24-28), the Pharisees’ question, “Why then do you baptize?” is a challenge to John’s authority. In Jewish custom, ritual washing or baptism was not unheard of, but it was typically self-administered and associated with purification rites (cf. Numbers 19:17-19). John’s symbolic baptism by water for the repentance of sins points towards the transformative baptism that Jesus will bring. John’s response deflects attention from himself to the One “who is coming after me” who they do not yet recognize. John humbles himself by declaring that he is unworthy to “untie the sandal strap” of the One who is coming. In ancient Jewish culture, the task of untying sandals was reserved for slaves, underscoring John’s humility and recognition of Christ’s greatness. Bethany across the Jordan was a location that was significant for its association with the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land under Joshua (Joshua 3:14-17).
Heavenly Father, You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Your Son, the True Light. Grant us the humility to recognize Christ in our midst and the courage to bear witness to His presence. May we, like John, point others to Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who brings light, life, and salvation to the world. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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