Devine Scripture

John 1:19

What does John 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:19 means

This verse introduces the formal delegation of Jewish authorities—priests and Levites from Jerusalem—sent to question John the Baptist. Their mission was to ascertain his identity and the legitimacy of his ministry, reflecting the religious leadership's concern about a new prophetic movement. This inquiry serves as the official beginning of John's public testimony about himself and, more importantly, about the Messiah he was preparing the way for, setting the stage for his crucial declarations.

John 1:19 in context

John 1 — The Word Made Flesh

John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.

  • Pre-existence of Christ
  • Incarnation
  • Light and life
  • First disciples

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And this is the witness of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to him with the question, Who are you?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent out of Jerusalem priests and Levites, that they might question him, `Who art thou?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites that they might ask him, Thou, who art thou?

Context

Having completed the profound theological prologue (1:1-18) establishing the identity of the Word, the narrative now shifts to the public ministry of John the Baptist. This verse marks the beginning of John’s direct interaction with religious authorities, detailing the official inquiry into his identity. This transition brings the abstract theological concepts into the real-world context of first-century Judea, setting the stage for John's clear testimony about Jesus, which will follow.

v.18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

v.19This passage

v.20And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 19:4

    And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.

  • John 5:33

    Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth.

  • Acts 13:25

    And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.

  • John 10:24

    The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.

  • John 2:18

    The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

  • Matthew 21:23

    And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Sermon ideas from John 1:19

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 1:19 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:19 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:19 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:19 teaches us about first disciples

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