JOHN 1:24-25 NKJV

Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

JOHN 1:24-25 NKJV

John 1:24 The Pharisees were an influential sect that numbered about six thousand. As strict interpreters of the Law in Israel, they were extremely zealous for ritual and tradition. Not all Pharisees were like the ones depicted by the apostle (Matt. 5:20), but as a general rule these religious leaders failed to accept the Messiah.

John 1:25 Why … do you baptize: Performing the rite of baptism was regarded as making a claim to authority. The Pharisees were asking, “By what authority do you perform this religious rite?” The Jewish authorities believed that they had the right to accredit religious speakers. John, however, had his accreditation from God. John clearly saw his mission (1:26) and performed it in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17).