Our text continues a discourse between John and Jewish delegates sent, probably by the Sanhedrin. Who are you?! Apparently, John was making a name for himself among the people.
John was clear. He was not the Christ. It was not his purpose to take glory from God’s son, but to “Make straight the way of the Lord” (cf. Isaiah 40:3).
Less clear was his statement that he was not Elijah. His answer in the negative perhaps explained a superstition then present that the prophet would be revived to herald the coming of the Messiah. He was not the prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18?). This passage is a reference to Jesus Himself, not a prophet who would precede Him. However, Matthew 17:10-13, Mark 9:11-13, and Luke 1:17 all make a connection of John the Baptist with Elijah. Luke saying that he would go before Jesus, “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
Jesus was the significant and greater personage, and John’s efforts were to prepare the people of Israel to accept him.
