Devine Scripture

John 1:21

What does John 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:21 means

After John denied being the Christ, the Jewish delegates questioned him further, asking if he was Elijah or "the prophet" (likely referring to the prophet like Moses foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15). John denied both identities. He wasn't Elijah in the literal bodily return sense, nor was he the specific prophet associated with Moses. His straightforward denials indicate his commitment to truth and his refusal to falsely claim any role not assigned to him by God.

John 1:21 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 they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they said to him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And his answer was, I am not.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they questioned him, `What then? Elijah art thou?' and he saith, `I am not.' --`The prophet art thou?' and he answered, `No.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he says, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

Context

Having firmly denied being the Christ in verse 20, John is pressed further by the Jewish authorities, who likely had messianic expectations linked to figures like Elijah and the prophet like Moses. His denials here continue to narrow down his identity, eliminating other prominent prophetic possibilities. This rigorous questioning by the religious leaders highlights the critical importance of John's true role and creates a stronger foundation for his subsequent affirmation of his actual identity as a forerunner.

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

v.21This passage

v.22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 11:14

    And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.

  • John 1:25

    And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?

  • Deuteronomy 18:15

    Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

  • Matthew 17:10

    And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?

  • Matthew 11:9

    But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

  • John 7:40

    Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.

Sermon ideas from John 1:21

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

  • What John 1:21 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:21 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:21 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:21 teaches us about first disciples

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