And this is the record of John, &c.— These verses would be better rendered thus, Now this is the testimony of John, (mentioned John 1:15.) When the Jews sent priests, &c. John 1:20 then he confessed, &c. The rulers at Jerusalem having been informed, that the Baptist's extraordinary sanctity, zeal, and eloquence, together with the solemnity of his baptizing, had made so great an impression on the people, that they were beginning to think he might be the Messiah, resolved that certain of their number, whose capacity and learning rendered them equal to the task, should go and examine him. When these messengers arrived at Bethabara, they asked the Baptist if he was the Messiah, or Elias, or that prophet who was said to arise and usher in the Messiah, of whose coming there was at this time a general expectation? And this is the record of John; this is the testimony which John bare publicly to Jesus when the Jews, that is, the sanhedrim, or great council of the nation, who took cognizance of the pretension which any person made to the character and office of a prophet, sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, persons of the first consideration for learning and office, and who, being maintained at the public expence, had better opportunities of studying the law, and acquiring knowledge, to ask him, Who art thou? "What character dost thou assume to thyself!" The question is not concerning his office, but his person. And he confessed and denied not, but in the strongest terms solemnly protested I am not the Messiah; "I know that the people begin to look on me as their long-expected Deliverer; but I tell you plainly,they are mistaken." To every candid judge, the declaration which on this occasion John made so freely to the priests and Levites, and which on other occasions he repeated publicly in the hearing of the people, will appear a strong proof of his divine mission, notwithstanding he performed no miracle; for when deputies from so august a body as the senate of Israel seemed to signify, (though probably with an ill design,) that, in order to their acknowledginghim as the Messiah, they wanted only a declaration from himself; if he had been an impostor, he would immediately have grasped at the honours offered him, and have given himself out for the Messiah; but he was animated by a different spirit; integrity and truth were evidently the guides of his conduct. Why then should we entertain any doubt of his mission, seeing that he expressly claimed the character of a messenger from God?
Related Commentaries of John 1:19
John 1:19-20
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.