This passage was not simply a conversation. These were representatives of the Jewish legal system. He used the word “confessed” (homologeō), which would be used in court to plead guilty. The word was repeated for emphasis and clarity.
John 1:19-21
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Le-vites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
But he is the one fulfilling the prophecy (Isaiah 40:1-5; Luke 1:17) and was validated by Jesus (Matthew 11:11-15).
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
And it was with that voice that he gave this prophetic testimony:
John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Normally two witnesses are required (Deuteronomy 19:15) to bring any testimony. John, the Baptist, however, was singularly “a voice” (Isaiah 40:3) in the wilderness. But, no other testimony was given or was necessary for the word of a prophet must always be tested (Deuteronomy 18:21–22, 1 John 4:1–2).
So, the Book of John is that test. John, the Disciple, relates seven signs (sēmeion) in his Gospel as evidence. Then after giving this evidence, John spends the remainder of his gospel giving a detailed account of the Passion of Christ and concludes with the ultimate evidence, the Resurrection.
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