BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

Summary of John 1:19-28

John the Baptist says he is not the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet when asked who he was by the Jewish leaders. Instead, he quotes Isaiah and says he’s the one preparing the way for the Lord.

The leaders ask John why he baptizes then if he’s not the Messiah. He says he baptizes with water. He says that Jesus is coming after him. They do not know him, but he is not worthy to untie his sandals.

This happened in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan where John was baptizing.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

3)

Question 1 – 1:19-20 Question: Who are you? John answered, “I am not the Messiah.”

Question 2 – 1:21a (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) Question: Are you Elijah? John answered: “I am not.”

Question 3 – 1:21b (Deuteronomy 18:15) Question: Are you the Prophet? John answered: “No.”

Question 4 – 1:22-23 (Isaiah 40:3) Question: Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John answered: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Question 5 – 1:24-27 Question:  “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered:  “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

4) He was solid in his identity. He understood Jesus was much greater than him. John is very clear about his purpose and calling and never questions it. He wants no attention on himself.

5) John never wavers. He quotes the Bible for his answers. He makes simple statements. He is straightforward. I think we all could be like this.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

I love how John does not cave when confronted by the Jewish leaders. He stands firm in his purpose and for the Lord. Fabulous!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

Here, we see for the first time in John’s Gospel the word “Jews,” referring to one particular group here, the religious leaders.

Fun Fact: Jews meaning Jewish leaders appears almost 70 times in John’s Gospel.

John says who he is not, not who he is. He does not want any attention focused on himself.

Remember that Jesus referred to John as a type of Elijah in spirit. (Matthew 11:13-14 and Mark 9:11-13).

John’s work is to prepare for the work of the Lord. He baptized people to prepare for Jesus, cleansing them.

Baptism in Jesus’ time was only for Gentiles who converted to Judaism. Here, John is baptizing Jews as a sign of repentance.

The lowest slave untied sandals. John is saying he is below the lowest when it came to Jesus.

Great Resources for Our Study of the Gospel of John

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