Walking With Jesus - Volume 01 - Lesson 015
LOC – 015 – John the Baptist Testifies Concerning Jesus
Lesson Objectives
There is a close relationship between the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus.
See how others respond towards John’s ministry.
John witnesses about Jesus by recounting God’s revelation to him.
John is not afraid to stand strong for his convictions about who Jesus is and who he is.
Lesson Commentary
Read John 1:19-34
The first half of the Gospel of John could be well defined as the “Book of Signs” because John delves into so many signs giving evidence to Who Jesus is and what He did. John makes no mention of the temptations of Jesus. Here we see a sequence of days (see John 1:19, 29, 35, 43) followed by a miracle “On the third day . . .” (John 2:1) John’s style of writing also presupposes that the readers are already aware of the writings of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
“Who are you?” is a common question. Most of us get asked that at one time or another. We should always remember who we are and who we are not as we live our lives for the Lord. Let’s see how John the Baptist deals with this question.
John’s First Witness –
Jn. 1:19 – Priests and Levites come to investigate who John the Baptist is. John’s preaching is so influential and far-reaching that the seat of the Jewish population comes to investigate this new ministry out in the wilderness. Is it something they would consider legitimate or something radical to be condemned?
The priests and Levites represent the highest Jewish legal/spiritual authority in Jerusalem. They represent the “official” sanctioning body for any religious activity that goes on. (They are comparable to the denominational leaders in your denomination or church today!) Since John is a priest, a descendant of Aaron, it is only proper for him to be examined by a council from Jerusalem. Their mission is 1) a show of authority, 2) a display of power, and 3) an attempt to shut John down if they find anything in his preaching that conflicts with their views. Scripture does not record them ever speaking out against him. They have probably been aware of John as he has gone through his training for the priesthood. However, since he doesn’t come to Jerusalem, but follows a route that they had only read about in the prophets, they come to investigate what is going on. “Who are you,” they ask?
Jn. 1:20 – John tells them that he is not the Messiah. Christ (Greek) or Messiah (Hebrew) means “Anointed One”. The Jewish people have been seeing the fulfillment of prophecies from Daniel and the Old Testament and there is an anxious anticipation of the Messiah coming soon. John knows that he is not who they are looking for. He is the voice (Greek word “phonee”). He is not the “Word” (Greek word “Logos”). Do you know who you are in God's scheme of things?
This is the current sight for baptizing in the Jordan River. It is more probable that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist many miles south, closer to Jericho and the Dead Sea. Photograph courtesy of Glen & Sylvia Copple
Jn. 1:21 – John does not speak here of an awareness of his actual fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy (see Malachi 4:5). As they inquire more, John’s answers become progressively shorter. He doesn’t desire to talk about himself, but rather, he seeks to point all men to Jesus. The Jews and John expect a literal Elijah, not a figurative one. John is a prophet, but his prophecy is not like that of Elijah. Are they trying to tell God how to fulfill His Words instead of seeking to obey and simply trust His promises? Have you ever done the same to God?
Jn. 1:22 – The priests and Levites orthodox ways cause them to question John’s non-orthodoxy. They are so used to doing things in their formal and ritualistic traditions that they can’t appreciate John doing things differently. He is doing something that is very different than what they are used to. How often do you feel threatened by those who do things differently than you do?
Jn. 1:23 – John considers himself as no one special. He is only a servant in service to the King. Quoting Isaiah 40:3, he refers to himself as a mere “voice” who is telling people to get ready because the Messiah is coming. He claims nothing more for himself than to be a forerunner for Jesus. In fact, John claims no superiority or recognition for himself. He doesn’t speak of some far off future revelation, but of an immediate event. He is more concerned with the work he is to do than the fame he could claim.
Jn. 1:24 – The Pharisees have much influence on the Jewish religious scene. Are these Pharisees another group who sends an emissary to question John or the same ones who dispatched the priests and Levites? Most priests and Levites are Sadducees. Very few are Pharisees. That seems to suggest that this is another group who have come to investigate John. This is something that the Pharisees have no real right to do. They have no real “authority.” However, since they consider themselves the authority over law and practice, they might question his baptism. Have you ever observed someone or been someone who tried to exercise an authority in your church that is God's and not yours? Since the Pharisees have such influence on general Jewish society, it is significant that they want to know about John and his ministry. They number about 6,000 and are characterized by a strict adherence to the Law of Moses and to many oral traditions. They are some of the few to survive the war in A.D. 66-70.
Jn. 1:25 – They don’t question the act of baptizing or immersing, only the reason. In essence they are saying, “Since you have no official title, why are you immersing?” Several groups, in Jesus' day, use immersion as an initiation rite of some sort. Jews even immerse proselytes into their religion. The Essenes, a sect of the Jews, immerse often in many of their rites of ceremonial purification. John has used immersion as an initiation rite to identify those who have repented.
Jn. 1:26 – The apostle John doesn't write anything of Jesus being immersed. Neither does John the Baptist really answer their question. He simply informs them that someone very important is in their midst and they do not know Him. John the Baptist’s mission is not controlled by their inquiry, but is directed to prepare the Jews for the coming Christ. He refers to Jesus as if He is actually there. John declares that Jesus is greater than he is, but he doesn’t fully disclose Jesus as the Messiah, just that He is greater than John is as a prophet. They will have to search and discover who Jesus really is and make that determination for themselves. You and I also have to search and discover who Jesus is for ourselves.
Jn. 1:27 – John does not seek glory for himself, but seeks to establish Jesus as superior to himself. His baptizing is anticipatory to what Jesus has to offer. He knows that “One” is coming who is far greater than he is. The “One” who comes after him is so great that John does not consider himself even worthy to perform the lowliest task, untying His shoe. Jesus is so much greater than John, a prophet the country has sought for about 300 years, that John isn’t even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.
Jn. 1:28 – The actual site of “Bethany on the other side of the Jordan” River is not really known. (It is not to be confused with another Bethany, home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, just outside of Jerusalem.) As early as a.d. 200, Origen, when visiting Palestine, could not find this other Bethany. A probable site is opposite Jericho near a river crossing frequented by the Jews. This is possible because many people would pass by and stop to listen to John.
John’s Second Witness. Bethany beyond the Jordan Map courtesy of Logos Bible Atlas
Jn. 1:29 – This time, instead of disclaimers, John gives information regarding his identity and his mission. John came to point men to Jesus! Jesus comes the very next day. This is after the 40 days in the wilderness. It is also an account of events over a series of days. (Note: “The next day . . .” in verses 35, 43, and “on the third day . . .” in 2:1) John claims Him to be the sacrificial “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus did not come for the Jews only, but for anyone and everyone who will acknowledge Him as the Son of God, and their Lord and Savior. Do you acknowledge that Jesus has come for you? John’s use of the lamb imagery is a reference to the sacrifices of sheep in the Temple. He is stating, whether he realizes it or not, that Jesus is the Passover Lamb who will be sacrificed to protect us from the death angel (see Isaiah 53:7,12). This lamb has no connection with sin. (A goat was used to roll back the penalty for sin.) In the Fourth Gospel, Jesus is crucified on the afternoon before Passover, as the paschal lambs are being slain.
Jn. 1:30 – Even though John is older and started his ministry earlier, Jesus is greater because He existed before John, as God the Son and His ministry is greater for our salvation. Jesus’ ministry supersedes John’s. Does John fully understand what he is saying about his second cousin? Remember that he is just as human as you and I. He has had to be shown by God in spite of all that his mother and father had told him. He had certain assumptions, but still needed God’s revelation and daily guidance for absolute proof. He does not know of the Cross and Jesus paying for our sins. What does John know?
Jn. 1:31 – John may not have known Jesus and His ministry completely, but he does have some understanding of Him and Who He is supposed to be. John’s baptism is only dealing with repentance. John's baptism has nothing to do with forgiveness and salvation. That belongs to the baptism into Christ. John’s mission is to introduce Jesus and prepare the world to follow Him as their Messiah.
Jn. 1:32 – John does not elaborate or mention Jesus’ baptism. He does mention that on some occasion (the baptism) he saw the Spirit of God descend in the physical likeness of a dove and remain on Jesus. The Spirit, invisible, manifested itself upon Jesus in a physical manner so that John would be aware of its presence and know that this is the one God sent him to tell others about. Here we have all three natures of the Trinity. Jesus, the Son being baptized, the Holy Spirit symbolized in the dove and the voice of God from heaven proclaiming His divine blessing. The Holy Spirit is a distinct divine presence. This is stressed much more in the second half of this Gospel. John the Baptist does not tell a story, but bears witness to what has been revealed to him. He is an eyewitness to what he speaks about.
Jn. 1:33 – God had foretold to John that He would reveal His Son to John in this manner. This is the One who “will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” This is the One who John has been preparing the way for! Baptism by John equals Old Testament expectation. Baptism by Jesus equals New Testament fulfillment by the Holy Spirit. Cleansing by water is one thing, but cleansing by the Holy Spirit is a totally different matter. The Old Testament had foretold an outpouring of the Spirit (see Joel 2:28-29 and Isaiah 32:15). The New Testament reveals this as being accomplished in Christ, for the Church, on the day of Pentecost.
Jn. 1:34 – To this John testifies, He is the “Son of God”. How can one say that Jesus is anything else? His own cousin testifies on the basis of direct revelation from God as to who Jesus is. In this Gospel, believers are referred to as “children” but only Jesus is referred to as “the SON”. John never does any miracles. He only preaches and baptizes as a sign of repentance from sin.
Read John 1:35-51.
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