John 1:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

Complete Jewish Bible:

So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

Berean Standard Bible:

So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

American Standard Version:

They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G3767} said they^{G2036} unto him^{G846}, Who^{G5101} art thou^{G1488}? that^{G2443} we may give^{G1325} an answer^{G612} to them that sent^{G3992} us^{G2248}. What^{G5101} sayest thou^{G3004} of^{G4012} thyself^{G4572}?

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Commentary for John 1:22

John 1:22 is a verse that captures a moment of inquiry during the early ministry of John the Baptist. The historical context of this verse is set in the Judean wilderness, where John the Baptist, a prophet and forerunner to Jesus Christ, was baptizing people and calling them to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

In the verses leading up to John 1:22, religious leaders from Jerusalem, specifically priests and Levites, were sent by the Jewish authorities to ask John the Baptist about his identity and the nature of his ministry. This was a time of great messianic expectation, and the Jewish leaders were investigating whether John was claiming to be the Messiah or a prophet.

The theme of identity is central to John 1:22. When the emissaries ask John, "Who art thou?" they are seeking a clear statement of his role and authority. The question "that we may give an answer to them that sent us" underscores the official nature of their mission and the anticipation of a definitive reply. The second part of the verse, "What sayest thou of thyself?" emphasizes the importance of self-testimony in establishing one's identity and purpose.

John's response in the subsequent verses is crucial. He denies being the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet that was expected, instead identifying himself as the "voice of one crying in the wilderness," fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. This self-identification sets the stage for the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, which John the Baptist proclaims in the following passages, thereby shifting the focus from himself to Jesus, whom he has been preparing the way for.

In summary, John 1:22 reflects the religious climate of first-century Palestine, marked by a keen interest in identifying the Messiah. It highlights the theme of self-identification and the role of John the Baptist as a witness to Jesus. John's humble acknowledgment of his role as a forerunner rather than a central figure points to the greater revelation of Jesus Christ, which is the central message of the Gospel of John.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1488
   There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἶ
   Transliteration: eî
   Pronunciation: i
   Description: second person singular present of εἰμί; thou art:--art, be.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1325
   There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δίδωμι
   Transliteration: dídōmi
   Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
   
8. Strong's Number: G612
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπόκρισις
   Transliteration: apókrisis
   Pronunciation: ap-ok'-ree-sis
   Description: from ἀποκρίνομαι; a response:--answer.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3992
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πέμπω
   Transliteration: pémpō
   Pronunciation: pem'-po
   Description: apparently a primary verb; to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form of ) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, and στέλλω denotes properly, the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield:--send, thrust in.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2248
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμᾶς
    Transliteration: hēmâs
    Pronunciation: hay-mas'
    Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3004
    There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λέγω
    Transliteration: légō
    Pronunciation: leg'-o
    Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4012
    There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: περί
    Transliteration: perí
    Pronunciation: per-ee'
    Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
    
13. Strong's Number: G4572
    There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σεαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: seautoû
    Pronunciation: sow-ton'
    Description: genitive case from σέ and αὐτός, also dative case of the same, , and accusative case , likewise contracted , , and , respectively; of (with, to) thyself:--thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self).