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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/1-24.htm" title="John 1:24">◄</a> John 1:25 <a href="/john/1-26.htm" title="John 1:26">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a> questioned him, &#8220Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?” <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and they asked him and said to him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> They asked him, and said to him, &#8220Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet? ” <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So they asked him, &#8220Why then do you baptize if you aren&#8217t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?"&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They asked him, "Why are you baptizing people, if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They asked John, "Why do you baptize if you're not the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet?" <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> then asked John, "If you are not the Messiah nor Elijah nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?" <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> They asked him, "Why, then, are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> asked him, ?Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?? <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> So they asked John, "Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And they asked him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they asked him, and said to him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou art not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Again they questioned him. "Why then do you baptize," they said, "if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they questioned him and said to him, “Why, then, do you immerse, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and they asked him and said to him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they questioned him and said to him, 'Why, then, dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?' <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they asked him, and said to him, Why immersest thou then, if thou art not Christ, neither Elias, neither a prophet?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet? <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they questioned him and said to him, “Then why do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?” <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they asked him and said to him, Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor a prophet? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they asked him and said to him, “Why therefore are you baptizing, if you are not The Messiah, nor Elijah, nor The Prophet?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and they asked him, and said to him: Why, then, do you immerse, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And they asked him, and said to him, Then why do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor that prophet? <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And they questioned him, and said to him, Why then dost thou baptise, if thou be not the Messiah, nor Elias, nor that prophet? <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> "why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elias, nor any other prophet?" <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Again they questioned him. "Why then do you baptize," they said, "if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And they asked him, and said to him, "Why, then, do you immerse, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and they asked him, and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, nor a prophet? <a href="/parallel/john/1-25.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=178" 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> …24Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25<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.">asked</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.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- 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/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Why</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then</a> <a href="/greek/907.htm" title="907: baptizeis (V-PIA-2S) -- Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. ">do you baptize,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</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/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/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/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/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">nor</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/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">nor</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> 26“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.…<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="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11</a> I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. <a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7-8</a> And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. / I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” <a href="/luke/3-16.htm">Luke 3:16</a> John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-23</a> And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ... <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a> Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23-27</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ... <a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27-33</a> After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ... <a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1-8</a> One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ... <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-35</a> You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. <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="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15-18</a> The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. / This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!” / Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. ... <a href="/isaiah/11-1.htm">Isaiah 11:1-5</a> Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they asked him, and said to him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?Why.<a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?<a href="/acts/4-5.htm">Acts 4:5-7</a> And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, … <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Acts 5:28</a> Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.that Christ.<a href="/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20-22</a> And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ… <a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Daniel 9:24-26</a> Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/20-4.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/luke/11-38.htm">Baptize</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/john/1-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/john/1-21.htm">Elias</a> <a href="/john/1-21.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/john/1-23.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/john/1-22.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/1-21.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/luke/22-32.htm">Thou</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-26.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/john/1-26.htm">Baptize</a> <a href="/john/1-28.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/john/1-41.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/romans/11-2.htm">Elias</a> <a href="/romans/11-2.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/john/4-19.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/john/2-18.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/5-12.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/john/1-50.htm">Thou</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>asked him This phrase indicates a direct questioning of John the Baptist by the religious leaders. In the context of the Gospel of John, this interrogation reflects the authority and influence of the Jewish leaders, who were concerned about any new religious movements that could challenge their power. The act of questioning also highlights the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the impact it was having on the people.“Why then do you baptize Baptism was a significant ritual in Jewish tradition, often associated with purification and repentance. The leaders were questioning John's authority to perform such a rite, which was typically reserved for those with recognized religious authority. John's baptism was a precursor to Christian baptism, symbolizing repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. This question underscores the leaders' skepticism and their need to understand John's role in God's plan.if you are not the Christ The term "Christ" refers to the Messiah, the anointed one expected by the Jews to deliver them. The leaders were aware of the prophecies concerning the Messiah and were trying to ascertain if John claimed this title. This reflects the messianic expectations of the time, as many Jews were eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding a savior.nor Elijah Elijah was a revered prophet in Israel's history, and <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> prophesied that Elijah would return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." The leaders were questioning if John was the fulfillment of this prophecy. John's denial of being Elijah in the literal sense points to the understanding that he came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (<a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a>), preparing the way for Jesus.nor the Prophet?” "The Prophet" refers to the prophecy in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, where Moses speaks of a prophet like himself whom God would raise up. This figure was expected to be a significant leader and teacher. The leaders were trying to identify John's role in relation to this prophecy. John's denial of being "the Prophet" emphasizes his role as a forerunner to Christ, rather than the fulfillment of this specific prophecy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A central figure in this passage, John the Baptist was known for his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ through his ministry of baptism and preaching repentance. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They were often skeptical of new movements and figures like John the Baptist. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_christ.htm">The Christ (Messiah)</a> The anointed one promised in the Old Testament, whom the Jews were expecting to deliver them. The Pharisees were questioning if John claimed this title. 4. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet from the Old Testament who was expected to return before the coming of the Messiah, as prophesied in <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a>. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophet.htm">The Prophet</a> Referring to the prophet like Moses, as mentioned in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, whom the Jews were also expecting.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_identity_and_calling.htm">Understanding Identity and Calling</a> John the Baptist knew his role and calling. He did not claim titles that were not his, demonstrating humility and clarity of purpose. As believers, we should seek to understand our God-given roles and serve faithfully within them. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_baptism.htm">The Importance of Baptism</a> Baptism was a significant act of repentance and preparation for the coming of Christ. It symbolizes purification and readiness to receive Jesus. Christians today continue this practice as a public declaration of faith and commitment to Christ. <a href="/topical/e/expectations_vs._reality.htm">Expectations vs. Reality</a> The Pharisees had specific expectations of who the Messiah, Elijah, and the Prophet would be. Often, God's plans and the fulfillment of His promises may not align with human expectations. We should remain open to God's ways, which may differ from our preconceived notions. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_with_integrity.htm">Witnessing with Integrity</a> John the Baptist's testimony was consistent and truthful. As Christians, our witness to others should be marked by integrity and truthfulness, pointing others to Christ rather than ourselves.<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/who_is_jesus_and_why_is_he_important.htm">Who is Jesus and what is his significance?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_christian_communion_important.htm">What does 'voice in the wilderness' signify?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_belgic_confession's_beliefs.htm">What are the core beliefs of the Belgic Confession?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_skeptical_theism_say_on_divine_hiddenness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental health?</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>(25) Why baptizest thou then?--Baptism, which was certainly one of the initiatory rites of proselytes in the second or third century A.D., was probably so before the work of the Baptist. It is not baptism, therefore, which is strange to the questioners, but the fact that he places Jews and even Pharisees (<a href="/matthew/3-7.htm" title="But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?">Matthew 3:7</a>) in an analogous position to that of proselytes, and makes them to pass through a rite which marks them out as impure, and needing to be cleansed before they enter "the kingdom of heaven." By what authority does he these things? They had interpreted such passages as <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm" title="Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.">Ezekiel 36:25</a> ff. to mean that Baptism should be one of the marks of Messiah's work. None less than the Christ, or Elias, or "the prophet" could enact a rite like this. John is assuming their power, and yet is not one of them.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 25. - And they asked him (put the question), and said to him, Why baptizest thou, then, if thou be not the Christ, not Elijah, not the prophet? It would seem that, judging from such expressions as <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25, 26</a> and <a href="/zechariah/13-1.htm">Zechariah 13:1</a>, the Jews expected some renewal of ceremonial purification on a grand scale at the Messianic appearance, and John's repudiation of every personal rank, which could, according to their view, justify him called for some explanation. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>asked 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. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Why Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative 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. then οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. do you baptize, βαπτίζεις (baptizeis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_907.htm">Strong's 907: </a> Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. 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. 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. 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. 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. Christ, Χριστὸς (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. nor οὐδὲ (oude) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even. 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. nor οὐδὲ (oude) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even. 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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-25.htm">John 1:25 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-25.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:25 They asked him Why then do you (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>