JOHN 1:19-20 NKJV

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

JOHN 1:19-20 NKJV

John 1:19, 20 the Jews: That is, the Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin. It is tragic that Christians and non-Christians have been guilty of anti-Semitism, ostensibly under the guise of all Jewish people being guilty of the death of Christ in some special way that is not true for all mankind for which He died. We must remember that Jesus and His disciples, and the many that He loved, were Jews. It is true that many among His people rejected Him, and especially many within the leadership of Israel, but no more blame should be placed on them than upon the Romans, and in fact each of us, for we have all rejected Him at some time in our lives. John primarily uses the phrase “the Jews” for the leadership of Israel and those who opposed the Lord Jesus. The Sanhedrin was responsible to examine anyone who was accused by someone of being a false prophet. The members of the Sanhedrin were divided into Sadducees and Pharisees. The delegation which came to investigate John the Baptist, was of the Pharisaic faction (1:24). Who are you: In the first century many people were waiting for the coming of the Messiah promised by the OT prophets. John did not claim to be the Messiah, but the rulers were concerned about maintaining peace under the eye of Rome, and they kept a close watch on all prospective messiahs. John was quick to acknowledge that he was not the Christ.