John 1:19-28

content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md

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+title = "John 1:19–28"
+date = "2025-11-28"
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+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John1.19-28)
+
+I find it interesting that the Gospel of John talks a lot about John the Baptist in this first chapter, but doesn't go into details about who he was or what he was preaching to the people.
+We get insights into his role in redemptive history, but not much else.
+Compare to the Synoptic Gospels, particularly Luke, where we get an idea of his message and why people thought he was a big deal.
+Instead, we get the reaction of the religious leaders first.
+They recognize that John is drawing crowds, preaching, and baptizing people.
+Perhaps they can even tell there is something like a spiritual revival happening, and they want to know more.
+Remember that all the Jews are expecting the Messiah to show up at any time.
+God hasn't sent a prophet for 400 years, and the Romans are oppressing their country, so any indication that God is working in people's lives would be welcome.
+
+So, they ask John, "Who are you?"
+John knows what he is supposed to do, but actually gives a wrong answer to them.
+He denies being the Christ, or Messiah—correct.
+He denies being Elijah—literally correct, but metaphorically incorrect.
+He also denies being the Prophet, that is, the "prophet like Moses" who was to come. ([_Deut. 18:15_](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy18.15))
+We know that John is the "Elijah who is to come" because Jesus says to the crowd that he did in Matthew 11:14, even though he is not literally Elijah, nor a reincarnation of him or anything like that.
+
+John instead says he is the messenger, or herald, of the Messiah.
+He quotes Isaiah as his commission to "make straight the way of the Lord".
+Whenever dignitaries or officials travelled, they would send a forerunner ahead to the town or manor where they would be staying the night.
+This messenger would announce the impending arrival of the personage and make sure that everything was in order for them and their entourage to be comfortable and cared for.
+Even today, state visits are formal occasions, and a lot of planning and preparations are done to make sure everything goes correctly.
+This was John's role: to prepare the hearts of those who would soon see the Messiah so that they would react appropriately.
+The Pharisee's thought they were ready.
+They didn't understand God's true purpose in sending John or the Messiah.
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+* * *
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+Prepare our hearts to be Your temple, to be worthy of Your dwelling place.