John 1:24 24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25And they asked him and said to him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27the one who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John offers more explanation and implication about the motives of the priests and Levites who went to question John the Baptist. The reader may not know the controversies Jesus had with the Pharisees, but the mention of them here prepares for the challenges they posed later on in Jesus’ ministry. If we consider these challenges, the motives for seeking out John may have been similar. They may have felt their positions and perspectives being threatened by John. The question of the delegates in verse 25 could be loaded with accusation. If John did not have any of the authority of the Messiah, the miraculous ministry like Elijah, or the inspiration of a prophet, what qualified him to speak the way he was or baptize people? They wanted to know so they could return to the Pharisees with a report.
John did not answer them the way they wanted. His answer deflected their question and focused more on the person of the coming One. John saw his ministry as limited. John’s baptism focused on water, which was significant for Jews and symbolized the washing away of sin through forgiveness. John was seen by many Jews as a great person and a prophet. Few could deny his influence, which even reached the centers of government in Herod’s court.
Someone greater was coming, which would lead John to step aside. The coming One would have a deeper baptism that would penetrate to the deepest problems of the human heart. Luke 3:16 notes this baptism would be of fire and the Holy Spirit, which symbolize cleansing and sanctification.
John saw himself as unworthy even to do the lowly task of a household slave who untied the straps of the master’s sandals. John’s ministry, even though great, was temporary and limited. The coming One would be even greater. This special person was already in their midst, but would they be ready to accept him when he was revealed? Among you also emphasizes the Word become flesh and the incarnation of the Son of God. He was already one with people, so much so that some would not see his power because of his humble submission to the Father.
The author John adds a geographical note about where John was doing his baptizing. There are two Bethany’s mentioned in the New Testament. One is where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, near Jerusalem (11:1). The Bethany here was on the other side (eastern) of the Jordan River, out in the wilderness of Perea. When Jesus comes into our midst, will we question his presence or identity, or will we be ready to embrace his authority like John the Baptist?
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