John 1:25
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Τί
Why
G5101
Τί
Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
βαπτίζεις
baptizest thou
G907
βαπτίζεις
baptizest thou
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
9 of 20
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Χριστὸς
that Christ
G5547
Χριστὸς
that Christ
Strong's:
G5547
Word #:
15 of 20
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD 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;Acts 5:28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.Matthew 21:23And 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?
Historical Context
Ritual washing was common in Judaism, but John's baptism was distinctive in its eschatological significance and call to repentance. The Pharisees rightly recognized this as an authoritative prophetic act requiring divine sanction.
Questions for Reflection
- Do we limit God's work to our preconceived categories of what He 'should' be doing?
- How do we discern between human innovation and divinely authorized ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Pharisees' question reveals their assumption that only the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet would have authority to baptize. Their logic is sound within their framework, but they fail to recognize that God can commission servants for preparatory work. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine that God's sovereignty extends to raising up servants according to His purposes, not human expectations.