Bible Strands
John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Interrogators press John the Baptist for a definitive identity immediately after he explicitly denied being the Christ. They demand a clear, reportable answer regarding his claims to those who sent them.
The words — ἠρώτησαν (ērōtēsan) means "they asked," marking the shift to direct inquiry. Ἠλίας (Ēlias) names the expected forerunner, while εἶ (ei) is the simple present "are," framing the question as a demand for immediate self-identification.
The thread — The questions target two specific eschatological figures: the prophet like Moses foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15 and the forerunner Elijah promised in Malachi 4:5. Matthew 11:14 later identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of that Elijah role.
Why it lands — The text records John's explicit rejection of these major titles to prevent misdirected expectation. A reader must accept that faithful witness operates by denying self-promotion rather than claiming prophetic or messianic office.
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 they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.
- Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
- Matthew 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
- John 1:25 asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
- Matthew 16:14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
- Matthew 17:10 The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
- Matthew 11:9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- John 7:40 On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”