John 1:19

King James Version (KJV)

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And this is the record of John - He persisted in this assertion, testifying to the Jews that this Jesus was The Christ.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

This is the record - The word “record” here means “testimony,” in whatever way given. The word “record” now commonly refers to “written” evidence. This is not its meaning here. John‘s testimony was given without writing.

When the Jews sent - John‘s fame was great. See Matthew 3:5. It spread from the region of Galilee to Jerusalem, and the nation seemed to suppose, from the character of his preaching, that he was the Messiah, Luke 3:15. The great council of the nation, or the Sanhedrin, had, among other things, the charge of religion. They felt it to be their duty, therefore, to inquire into the character and claims of John, and to learn whether he was the Messiah. It is not improbable that they wished that he might be the long-expected Christ, and were prepared to regard him as such.

When the Jews sent priests and Levites - See the notes at Luke 10:31-32. These were probably members of the Sanhedrin.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

19. The record of John. [Jesus Declared “the Lamb of God,” John 1:19-34. See Early Ministry and Baptism to First Passover.] That is, his testimony concerning the Christ, on: (1) the day the delegation from Jerusalem came to investigate him (vs. 19-28), (2) the day following, when he publicly identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (vs. 29-34), and (3) the third day, when he privately introduced two of his own disciples to Jesus (vs. 35, 36). John the evangelist begins his gospel narrative with an account of the witness of the forerunner to the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth. Compare Matt. 3:1, 2; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:1-6; Acts 10:37, 38; see on Luke 3:15-18.

When the Jews sent. That is, the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish authority of the time (cf. chs. 5:15-18; 7:13; 9:22; 18:12; see p. 67). The questions now put to John reflect the high esteem in which he was held by the people generally (Matt. 14:5; 21:26), and the serious attention given by the leaders to the popular belief that he was a prophet, and might, perhaps, even be the Messiah (see Luke 3:15). The extent of John’s influence is apparent from the fact that his audience included not only vast throngs of the common people (Matt. 3:5), but the religious (v. 7) and political (see Matt. 14:4; DA 214) leaders of the nation as well. Excitement had reached such a height that the Sanhedrin could no longer evade the issue. The people had no doubt pressed their leaders for an answer to the very questions with which the delegation now challenged John. Presumably (see on John 1:25), the leaders would acknowledge the right of a prophet, as a spokesman direct from God, to teach without their authorization, once the validity of his credentials was established (see on Matt. 12:38; 16:1). Otherwise, they exercised the right to control all public teaching (see Mishnah Sanhedrin 11, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 558-600).

Priests and Levites. See on Ex. 28:1; Deut. 10:8. Although most of the priests and Levites were Sadducees, this delegation was composed of Pharisees (see on John 1:24), perhaps because they felt more concern over the matter. Similarly, it was the Pharisees who later harassed Jesus. Perhaps priests and Levites were assigned to investigate John out of consideration for the fact that his father had been a priest, and his mother the daughter of a priest (Luke 1:5). John was himself eligible to the priesthood, and thus to become a teacher.

From Jerusalem. Perhaps some 25 mi. distant.

Who art thou? Literally, “You, who are you?” They were not concerned with John’s identity as an individual, but with his authority to preach and teach (see v. 25). Later, the authorities put the same question to Jesus (ch. 8:25). Perhaps the delegation half expected John to claim he was the Messiah. Their question apparently reflected this expectation, for John’s answer was a forthright denial of such a claim (ch. 1:20; cf. DA 134).

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (EGW), 1115

From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when He took upon Himself human nature, He was still one with God. He is the link that unites God with humanity [Hebrews 2:14 quoted] (The Signs of the Times, August 2, 1905). 5BC 1115.1

76, 77 (ch. 3:2-4; Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-3; John 1:19-23). John Born for a Special Work—In every stage of this earth's history God has had His agencies to carry forward His work, which must be done in His appointed way. John the Baptist had a special work, for which he was born and to which he was appointed—the work of preparing the way of the Lord.... His wilderness ministry was a most striking, literal fulfillment of prophecy (Manuscript 112, 1901). 5BC 1115.2

80. No Suitable School—There was a great work appointed for the prophet John, but there was no school on the earth with which he could connect. His learning must be obtained away from the cities, in the wilderness. The Old Testament Scriptures, God, and the nature which God had created, were to be his study books. God was fitting John for his work of preparing the way of the Lord. His food was simply locusts and wild honey. The customs and practices of men were not to be the education of this man. Worldly engrossment was to act no part in the formation of his character (Manuscript 131, 1901). 5BC 1115.3

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 132-6

This chapter is based on John 1:19-51.

John the Baptist was now preaching and baptizing at Bethabara, beyond Jordan. It was not far from this spot that God had stayed the river in its flow until Israel had passed over. A little distance from here the stronghold of Jericho had been overthrown by the armies of heaven. The memory of these events was at this time revived, and gave a thrilling interest to the Baptist's message. Would not He who had wrought so wonderfully in ages past again manifest His power for Israel's deliverance? Such was the thought stirring the hearts of the people who daily thronged the banks of the Jordan. DA 132.1

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 224

The childhood, youth, and manhood of John had been characterized by firmness and moral power. When his voice was heard in the wilderness saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matthew 3:3), Satan feared for the safety of his kingdom. The sinfulness of sin was revealed in such a manner that men trembled. Satan's power over many who had been under his control was broken. He had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God; but he had failed. And he had failed to overcome Jesus. In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan had been defeated, and his rage was great. Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John. The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer. DA 224.1

Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. Gladly would the Saviour have come to John, to brighten the dungeon gloom with His own presence. But He was not to place Himself in the hands of enemies and imperil His own mission. Gladly would He have delivered His faithful servant. But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom. As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience! DA 224.2

Satan was permitted to cut short the earthly life of God's messenger; but that life which “is hid with Christ in God,” the destroyer could not reach. Colossians 3:3. He exulted that he had brought sorrow upon Christ, but he had failed of conquering John. Death itself only placed him forever beyond the power of temptation. In this warfare, Satan was revealing his own character. Before the witnessing universe he made manifest his enmity toward God and man. DA 224.3

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 231

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14, 15. DA 231.1

The Messiah's coming had been first announced in Judea. In the temple at Jerusalem the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar. On the hills of Bethlehem the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus. To Jerusalem the magi had come in search of Him. In the temple Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity. “Jerusalem, and all Judea” had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist; and the deputation from the Sanhedrin, with the multitude, had heard his testimony concerning Jesus. In Judea, Christ had received His first disciples. Here much of His early ministry had been spent. The flashing forth of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple, His miracles of healing, and the lessons of divine truth that fell from His lips, all proclaimed that which after the healing at Bethesda He had declared before the Sanhedrin,—His Sonship to the Eternal. DA 231.2

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John the Baptist

Jesus' Ministry according to John

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