Are You Elijah or that Prophet? - John 1:21

John the apostle wrote, “this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-one of his book, John shared how the people say to John the Baptist, “what then? Are you Elias? … Are you that prophet?” where we read:

And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet?

And he answered, No.

The verse reads, “And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet?” John began with the words, “and they asked him” or “and the Jewish priests and Levites inquired of and questioned John the Baptist”, “what then” which means “who therefore and consequently do you exist as”? “Are you Elias” or “do you exist as Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah and was a prophet born at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah”? “And he said” which means “and John the Baptist uttered, declared, proclaimed and answered”, “I am not” or “I, John the Baptist do not exist as Elijah”. “Are you that prophet” which means “do you exist as one who is moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”? John shared how the “religious leaders” questioned John the Baptist as to whether he was “Elijah” or the “prophet” that was to come before the Messiah arrived.

The verse goes on to say, “And he answered, No.” John continued with the words, “and he answered” which means “and John the Baptist responded”, “no” or “not in any way”. John shared how John the Baptist told the “religious leaders” He was not the “prophet” of whom they were thinking.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn about the suspicions of the “religious leaders” among the Jewish people. These men were sent to discover who “John the Baptist” was, and they began by questioning him about being “Elijah” or the “promised prophet”. “John the Baptist” told them he was neither one, however, they will inquire of him more concerning this. God's plan of “salvation” was arising, and John the Baptist was to announce the coming of His Son Jesus who is the Messiah and Christ. Anyone who yields their life to God's Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. They shall also understand the purpose of God to bring all these things to bring to mankind His “salvation”.

Next time John shares how the people ask John the Baptist, “Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".