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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:21 "Then who are you?" they inquired. "Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/43_Jhn_01_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:21 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then who are you? they inquired. Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the Prophet? 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Are you Elijah?&#8221 He said, &#8220I am not.&#8221 &#8220Are you the Prophet?&#8221 He answered, &#8220No.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he says, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> They asked him, &#8220What then? Are you Elijah?&#8221 And he said, &#8220I am not.&#8221 &#8220Are you the Prophet?&#8221 And he answered, &#8220No.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the [promised] Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “What then? ” they asked him. “Are you Elijah? ” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet? ” “No,” he answered. <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What then?&#8221 they asked him. &#8220Are you Elijah?"&#8221 I am not,&#8221 he said.&#8221 Are you the Prophet?"&#8221 No,&#8221 he answered.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then when they asked him if he were Elijah, he said, "No, I am not!" And when they asked if he were the Prophet, he also said "No!" <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They asked him, "Well, are you Elijah?" John answered, "No, I'm not." Then they asked, "Are you the prophet?" John replied, "No." <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Who are you, then?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No, I am not," John answered. "Are you the Prophet?" they asked. "No," he replied. <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> So they asked him, "Well then, are you Elijah?" John said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Then who are you?? they inquired. ?Are you Elijah?? He said, ?I am not.? ?Are you the Prophet?? He answered, ?No.? <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> So they asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not!" "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No!" <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? and he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "What then?" they inquired; "are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?" "No," he answered. <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they questioned him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he says, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he says, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they questioned him, 'What then? Elijah art thou?' and he saith, 'I am not.' -- 'The prophet art thou?' and he answered, 'No.' <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they asked, What then? Art thou Elias? And he says, I am not. Art thou a prophet? And he answered, No.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they questioned him: “Then what are you? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then they asked him again, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you a prophet? And he said, No. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they asked him again, “What, therefore? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “No.” “Are you a Prophet”, and he said “No.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And they asked him: What then? Are you Elijah? And he said: I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered: No. <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> They asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he says, I am not. Art thou that prophet? <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? and he said, I am not. Art thou that prophet? and he answered, No. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> art thou then Elias? said they; and he answer'd, I am not, art thou a prophet? and he answer'd, no. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "What then?" they inquired; "are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?" "No," he answered. <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he says, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No. <a href="/parallel/john/1-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=145" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> …20He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” 21<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">“Then</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">who are you?”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: ērōtēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">they inquired.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">“Are</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/2243.htm" title="2243: Ēlias (N-NMS) -- Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.">Elijah?”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">He said,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">“I am</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not.”</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">“Are</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētēs (N-NMS) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">Prophet?”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apekrithē (V-AIP-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">He answered,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“No.”</a> 22So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a> The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. <a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a> And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. <a href="/matthew/16-14.htm">Matthew 16:14</a> They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” <a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a> And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” <a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Luke 3:15</a> The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. <a href="/john/7-40.htm">John 7:40-41</a> On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” / Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? <a href="/matthew/17-10.htm">Matthew 17:10-13</a> The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” ... <a href="/mark/8-28.htm">Mark 8:28</a> They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” <a href="/luke/9-19.htm">Luke 9:19</a> They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.” <a href="/acts/3-22.htm">Acts 3:22</a> For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. <a href="/acts/7-37.htm">Acts 7:37</a> This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a> This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” <a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a> “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No.Art thou Elias.<a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:<a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a> And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.<a href="/matthew/17-10.htm">Matthew 17:10-12</a> And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? … Art thou that.<a href="/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25</a> And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?<a href="/john/7-40.htm">John 7:40</a> Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15-18</a> The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/9-54.htm">Elias</a> <a href="/luke/9-54.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/luke/23-6.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/luke/24-19.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/luke/24-15.htm">Questioned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-25.htm">Elias</a> <a href="/john/1-25.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/john/4-52.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/john/1-23.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/john/1-25.htm">Questioned</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then who are you? they inquired. This question is posed by the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem to John the Baptist. It reflects the Jewish leaders' curiosity and concern about John's identity and authority. In the context of first-century Judea, many were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah or a significant prophetic figure due to the Roman occupation and the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. The question underscores the expectation of a deliverer or a significant religious figure.Are you Elijah? The inquiry about Elijah is rooted in the prophecy from <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a>, which foretells the return of Elijah before the "great and dreadful day of the LORD." Elijah was a prominent prophet in Israel's history, known for his miraculous deeds and his ascension to heaven in a whirlwind (<a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11</a>). The Jewish people expected Elijah to return as a precursor to the Messiah, which is why they questioned John the Baptist about this identity.He said, "I am not." John the Baptist's denial of being Elijah is significant. While Jesus later identifies John as fulfilling the role of Elijah in a spiritual sense (<a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a>), John himself does not claim this title. This response highlights John's humility and his understanding of his role as a forerunner to Christ, rather than the literal return of Elijah.Are you the Prophet? This question refers to the expectation of a prophet like Moses, as foretold in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, where Moses speaks of God raising up a prophet from among the Israelites. In the first-century Jewish context, this figure was often associated with the coming Messiah or a significant eschatological figure. The question reflects the diverse expectations of the Jewish people regarding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.He answered, "No." John's response is a clear denial of being "the Prophet" like Moses. This further emphasizes his role as a preparer of the way for Jesus, rather than being the central figure himself. John's consistent denials of these significant titles point to his mission of pointing others to Christ, the true fulfillment of the prophecies and expectations of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A key figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He was known for his baptism of repentance and his role in heralding the coming of the Messiah. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, Elijah was known for his powerful miracles and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Jewish tradition held that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophet.htm">The Prophet</a> This refers to the expectation of a prophet like Moses, as mentioned in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, who would arise and lead the people. This figure was often associated with the coming of the Messiah. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a> The priests and Levites sent by the Pharisees to question John the Baptist about his identity and authority. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethany_beyond_the_jordan.htm">Bethany Beyond the Jordan</a> The location where John the Baptist was baptizing and where this questioning took place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_identity_and_calling.htm">Understanding Identity and Calling</a> John the Baptist knew who he was and who he was not. As believers, it is crucial to understand our identity in Christ and the specific calling God has for us. <a href="/topical/h/humility_in_ministry.htm">Humility in Ministry</a> John’s responses reflect humility. He did not claim titles or roles that were not his. In our service to God, we should remain humble and focused on pointing others to Christ. <a href="/topical/e/expectation_and_fulfillment.htm">Expectation and Fulfillment</a> The Jewish leaders had expectations based on Scripture. We should study the Bible to understand God's promises and recognize their fulfillment in Jesus. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a> The questioning of John the Baptist highlights the need for discernment. We should seek wisdom and understanding in spiritual matters, testing everything against Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/is_john_denying_being_elijah_a_contradiction.htm">In Matthew 11:14, Jesus identifies John as Elijah, but John 1:21 records John denying this. Is that a contradiction? </a> <a href="/q/how_are_john_the_baptist_and_elijah_linked.htm">What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_john_deny_being_elijah.htm">If Elijah is supposed to return (Malachi 4:5), why does the New Testament imply John the Baptist’s role was that of Elijah, yet he denies being Elijah in John 1:21? </a> <a href="/q/was_john_the_baptist_elijah.htm">Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come? Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13) No (John 1:19-21)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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, <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm" title="The LORD your God will raise up to you a Prophet from the middle of you, of your brothers, like to me; to him you shall listen;">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm" title="I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brothers, like to you, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.">Deuteronomy 18:18</a>; Isaiah 40 ff.; <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm" title="Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:">Malachi 4:5</a>; <a href="//apocrypha.org/2_maccabees/2-1.htm" title="It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:">2 Maccabees 2:1-8</a>; and Note on <a href="/matthew/16-14.htm" title="And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.">Matthew 16:14</a>). The angel had announced that "he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias." The Lord declared "Elias is come already" (<a href="/context/matthew/18-12.htm" title="How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?">Matthew 18:12-13</a>), and yet the Forerunner can assert that, in the literal sense in which they ask the question and would understand the answer, he is not Elias, still less "the prophet," by which, whether thinking of the words of Moses or the fuller vision of Isaiah from which he immediately quotes, he would understand the Messiah himself, . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - And they asked him, What then? What is the state of the case? The very repudiation of Messiahship in this form seems to imply some association with the Messianic period of which they had so many conflicting ideas. Malachi (<a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a>) had predicted the coming again from heaven of Elijah the prophet, and the LXX., by translating the passage "Elijah the Tishbite," had strengthened the common mistake of a metempsychosis, or such an abnormal manifestation before the coming of Messiah. Schottgen ('De Messia,' H.H., vol. 2, pp 226, 490, 533-537) quotes a variety of proofs of this anticipation, and that Elijah was expected "three days before Messiah; that he would come in the mountains of Israel, weeping over the people, saying, 'O land of Israel, how long will you remain arid and desolate!'" (cf. my 'John the Baptist,' 3. § 4). There was a true sense in which (as our Lord informed his disciples) John was the fulfilment of Malachi's prediction and of the language of the angel to Zacharias (<a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a>; <a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a>; <a href="/matthew/17-12.htm">Matthew 17:12</a>), and that John came veritably in the spirit and power of Elijah. In that sense "Elijah had come already," just as Christ their David had come, in fulfilment of Ezekiel's vision (<a href="/ezekiel/37-24.htm">Ezekiel 37:24</a>; cf. <a href="/jeremiah/30-9.htm">Jeremiah 30:9</a>; <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Hosea 3:5</a>), to rule over them. In the physical, superstitious sense, John the son of Zacharias was not the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah, and so he boldly answered the inquiry, Art thou Elijah? with a categorical negative: I am not. They press their question once more. Art thou the Prophet? It is doubtful whether they here take up another popular expectation of the physical return of one of the old prophets, or whether, with an exegesis afterwards modified by the apostles, they point to <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, and reveal the fact that they had not identified the prediction of "the prophet like unto Moses" with their Messiah. If they had identified these representations, they would not, of course, have pressed him with an identical question. It is highly probable that that prophecy had, with the predictions of Malachi and Isaiah, led to numerous expectations more or less identified with the Messianic cycle of coming events. In <a href="/john/6-14.htm">John 6:14</a>; <a href="/john/7-40.htm">John 7:40</a>; <a href="/matthew/16-14.htm">Matthew 16:14</a>, we see the prevalence of the expectation - of a longing for an old prophet. They yearned for no upstart, but for one of the mighty brotherhood of departed men, in veritable flesh and blood. Now John and now Jesus was crudely suspected by some to be such a resuscitation. The Baptist, like the Samaritan woman, and subsequently St. Peter when full of the Holy Ghost, had sharply identified "the Prophet like unto Moses" with the Messiah himself; and therefore, on either hypothesis, he gives a curt reply to this inquiry, and he answered, No. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Then οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. who [are you]?” Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. they inquired. ἠρώτησαν (ērōtēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. “Are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. you σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Elijah?” Ἠλίας (Ēlias) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2243.htm">Strong's 2243: </a> Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite. He said, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “I am εἰμί (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not.” Οὐκ (Ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. “Are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. you σύ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. the Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Prophet?” προφήτης (prophētēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. He answered, ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “No.” Οὔ (Ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-21.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:21 They asked him What then? 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