God’s Word Translation
John 1:19
19This was John’s answer when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
John 1:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
- New International Version (NIV)Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
Context of John 1:19
17Laws were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. God’s only Son, the one who is closest to the Father’s heart, has made him known. This was John’s answer when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20John didn’t refuse to answer. He told them clearly, “I’m not the Messiah.” 21They asked him, “Well, are you Elijah?” John answered, “No, I’m not.” Then they asked, “Are you the prophet?” John replied, “No.”
Read all of John 1John 1:19 word by word
καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Ἰωάννου ὅτε ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐξ Ἱεροσολύμων ἱερεῖς καὶ Λευίτας ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτόν· σὺ τίς εἶ;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the recordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the recordμαρτυρίαmarturia · testimonyG3141
- of JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
- whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
- the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
- sentἀποστέλλωapostellō · to sendG649
- priestsἱερεύςhiereus · priestG2409
- LevitesΛευΐτηςLeuitēs · LeviteG3019
- fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- JerusalemἹεροσόλυμαHierosoluma · JerusalemG2414
- toἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- askἐρωτάωerōtaō · to askG2065
- himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- Whoτίςtis · which?G5101
- thouσύsu · youG4771
Cross-references for John 1:19
- John 5:33You sent people to John ⌞the Baptizer⌟, and he testified to the truth.
- Deuteronomy 17:9Go to the Levitical priests and the judge who is serving at that time. Ask for their opinion, and they will give you their verdict
- Deuteronomy 24:8Guard against outbreaks of serious skin diseases. Be very careful to do exactly as the Levitical priests instruct you. Make sure you do what I commanded them.
- Matthew 21:23Then Jesus went into the temple courtyard and began to teach. The chief priests and the leaders of the people came to him. They asked, “What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?”
- Luke 3:15People’s hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the Messiah.
- John 10:24The Jews surrounded him. They asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
- Acts 13:25When John was finishing his work, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the person you’re looking for. He will come later. I’m not even good enough to untie his sandals.’
- Acts 19:4Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. John told people to believe in Jesus, who was coming later.”
Commentaries on John 1:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19And this is the record of John - He persisted in this assertion, testifying to the Jews that this Jesus was The Christ.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19This is the record - The word “record” here means “testimony,” in whatever way given. The word “record” now commonly refers to “written” evidence. This is not its meaning here. John‘s testimony was given without writing. When the Jews sent - John‘s fame was great. See Matthew 3:5. It spread from the region of Galilee to Jerusalem, and the nation seemed to suppose, from the character of his preaching, that he was the Messiah, Luke 3:15. The great council…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-28Verses 19-28 John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-28Jesus reveals himself to the world through his miracles and teachings. People reacted differently: Some wanted to believe in him. Others opposed him. This division becomes more obvious as the book continues. Jesus ended his public ministry with a final call for people to believe in him (12:44–50).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3619. record--testimony. the Jews--that is, the heads of the nation, the members of the Sanhedrim. In this peculiar sense our Evangelist seems always to use the term.Read the comment
Topics related to John 1:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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