Bible Strands
John 1:20
He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — John the Baptist responds to priests and Levites sent by Jerusalem to ask him his identity. He speaks during an official inquiry where they demand he name himself.
The words — The Greek ὡμολόγησεν (hōmologēsen) means he confessed or openly declared, while ἠρνήσατο (ērnēsato) means he denied or refused to deny. The text states he did not refuse to confess but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
The thread — This explicit denial of messianic identity aligns with the crowd’s expectation in Luke 3:15 and the subsequent testimony about the coming One in Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:7. John consistently redirects attention away from himself toward the one who will come after him.
Why it lands — A reader must acknowledge the explicit boundary John draws between himself and the Messiah. The text demands a clear rejection of self-promotion before any further inquiry into his role.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
Cross-references
- Matthew 3:11 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.
- Mark 1:7 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.
- Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.
- John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’