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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 1:20 He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, "I am not the Christ."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/43_Jhn_01_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:20 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, I am not the Christ." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but confessed, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny; and <i>this is what</i> he confessed: “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, &#8220I am not the Christ.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he confessed, and did not deny, and he confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed [truthfully] and did not deny [that he was only a man], but acknowledged, “I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: &#8220I am not the Messiah."&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />John didn't refuse to answer. He told them clearly, "I'm not the Messiah."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />John did not refuse to answer, but spoke out openly and clearly, saying: "I am not the Messiah." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He spoke openly and, remaining true to himself, admitted, "I am not the Messiah." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, ?I am not the Christ.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He confessed--he did not deny but confessed--"I am not the Christ!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed, and did not deny, but he confessed, "I am not the Christ."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He avowed--he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, "I am not the Christ."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny, and confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he confessed and did not deny, and confessed -- 'I am not the Christ.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he acknowledged, and denied not; and he acknowledged, That I am not the Christ.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he confessed it and did not deny it; and what he confessed was: “I am not the Christ.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny it; but he declared, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he confessed and did not deny and confessed: “I am not The Messiah.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he confessed, and did not deny; and he confessed: I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Who art thou? and he confessed and denied not, and confessed that, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he confessed, and denied it not; but acknowledged, I am not the Messiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he own'd it, and did not deny it; but made this protestation, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He avowed--he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, "I am not the Christ."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, "I am not the Christ."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />he confessed, and denied not; but declared openly, I am not the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/1-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=139" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19</span>And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3670.htm" title="3670: hōmologēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.">He did not refuse to confess,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></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."></a> <a href="/greek/720.htm" title="720: ērnēsato (V-AIM-3S) -- Perhaps from a and the middle voice of rheo; to contradict, i.e. Disavow, reject, abnegate."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3670.htm" title="3670: hōmologēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.">openly declared,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“I</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.">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/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> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Luke 3:15-16</a></span><br />The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7-8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a></span><br />You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Acts 13:25</a></span><br />As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Matthew 11:3</a></span><br />to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-19.htm">Luke 7:19-20</a></span><br />So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-35</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-41.htm">John 10:41</a></span><br />Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a></span><br />The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-1.htm">Isaiah 53:1-3</a></span><br />Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? / He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. / He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a></span><br />Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-10.htm">Matthew 17:10-13</a></span><br />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.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28-36</a></b></br> Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11,12</a></b></br> I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and <i>with</i> fire: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7,8</a></b></br> And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-8.htm">Acknowledged</a> <a href="/john/1-17.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/amos/9-3.htm">Conceal</a> <a href="/luke/12-8.htm">Confess</a> <a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/luke/22-57.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/luke/22-61.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/luke/22-32.htm">Fail</a> <a href="/luke/7-43.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/luke/8-18.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/mark/12-27.htm">Quite</a> <a href="/amos/3-10.htm">Straightforwardly</a> <a href="/john/1-17.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-22.htm">Acknowledged</a> <a href="/john/1-25.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Conceal</a> <a href="/john/9-22.htm">Confess</a> <a href="/john/9-22.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/john/13-38.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/john/8-55.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Fail</a> <a href="/john/2-10.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/john/1-31.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/john/4-18.htm">Quite</a> <a href="/amos/3-10.htm">Straightforwardly</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>He did not refuse to confess</b><br>John the Baptist's role as a forerunner to Christ is emphasized here. His willingness to confess aligns with his mission to prepare the way for Jesus. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, confession was a significant act, often associated with acknowledging one's beliefs or sins. John's confession is not about sin but about truth, highlighting his integrity and commitment to his divine calling. This phrase also reflects the Jewish expectation of a Messiah and the importance of clear testimony in a time of messianic anticipation.<p><b>but openly declared</b><br>John's openness is crucial in a time when many were looking for the Messiah. His declaration is public and unambiguous, serving as a model of transparency and honesty. This openness is consistent with the prophetic tradition, where prophets were called to speak God's truth boldly. The Greek term used here suggests a boldness and clarity that leaves no room for misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of truth in the proclamation of God's message.<p><b>“I am not the Christ.”</b><br>This statement directly addresses the messianic expectations of the Jewish people. Many were looking for a political or military leader to deliver them from Roman oppression. By denying that he is the Christ, John redirects attention to Jesus, the true Messiah. This denial is significant in the context of Jewish prophecy, as it aligns with the role of a forerunner described in <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> and <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>. John's humility and recognition of his role highlight the nature of true discipleship and point to Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Known for his ascetic lifestyle and powerful preaching, he baptized many, including Jesus, in the Jordan River.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>These were the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem to question John the Baptist about his identity and mission. They were concerned about his growing influence and sought to understand whether he claimed to be the Messiah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_christ.htm">The Christ (Messiah)</a></b><br>The anointed one promised in the Old Testament, whom the Jewish people were expecting to deliver them. John the Baptist clarifies that he is not the Christ, pointing instead to Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_ministry.htm">Humility in Ministry</a></b><br>John the Baptist exemplifies humility by openly declaring that he is not the Christ. In our ministries and daily lives, we should point others to Jesus, not ourselves.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/clarity_of_identity.htm">Clarity of Identity</a></b><br>John knew his role and purpose. As believers, we should seek clarity in our identity in Christ and our God-given mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witnessing_with_integrity.htm">Witnessing with Integrity</a></b><br>John did not shy away from confessing the truth. We are called to witness with integrity, even when it might be challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/expectation_of_the_messiah.htm">Expectation of the Messiah</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders were expectant of the Messiah. We should live with an expectation of Christ's return and prepare our hearts accordingly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_greater_than_our_hearts.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'I Am with You Always'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_augsburg_confession's_beliefs.htm">What are the core beliefs of the Augsburg Confession?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_rebuke_thomas_for_seeking_evidence.htm">If faith is necessary, why does Jesus rebuke Thomas for asking for evidence (John 20:29)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_jehovah's_witnesses_christians.htm">Are Jehovah's Witnesses considered Christians?</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>(20) <span class= "bld">Confessed, and denied not; but confessed.</span>--Comp. for the style, Note on <a href="/john/1-3.htm" title="All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.">John 1:3</a>.<p><span class= "bld">I am not.</span>--The better reading places the pronoun in the most emphatic position: "It is not <span class= "ital">I</span> who am the Messiah." He understands their question, then, "Who art thou?" as expressing the general expectation, "Is it thou who art the Messiah?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 20, 21.</span> - <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="accented">He deflates his own position, negatively.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he confessed, and denied not</span>. Perhaps the double form of statement, or rather the introduction of the clause, "he denied not," before the repetition of the confession with its contents, was adopted to indicate that John might have been tempted to "deny" that he was <span class="accented">not</span> the Christ. If he had hesitated at all, he would have denied the real Christ, the Son of God, who had been revealed to him by special means. <span class="cmt_word">I for my part</span> - very emphatic - <span class="cmt_word">am</span> <span class="cmt_word">not the Christ.</span> This implies, not only that the supposition over which they are brooding is unfounded, not only that he is not the Christ, but that he knows more, and that he knows another to be the Christ. If this reading of the text is correct, the Baptist, by his negative reply, gave to the priests more than they asked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/1-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">He did not refuse to confess,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὡμολόγησεν</span> <span class="translit">(hōmologēsen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3670.htm">Strong's 3670: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">openly declared,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὡμολόγησεν</span> <span class="translit">(hōmologēsen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3670.htm">Strong's 3670: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐγὼ</span> <span class="translit">(Egō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰμὶ</span> <span class="translit">(eimi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Christ.”</span><br /><span class="grk">Χριστός</span> <span class="translit">(Christos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/1-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:20 He confessed and didn't deny but he (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:21" /></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>