John 1:24

KJV

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they which {G3588} were sent {G649} were {G2258} of {G1537} the Pharisees {G5330}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Pharisees who had been sent

American Standard Version

And they had been sent from the Pharisees.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
A crucial detail about the delegation sent from Jerusalem to interrogate John the Baptist is revealed: some of its members were Pharisees. This specific identification underscores the official, authoritative, and deeply theological nature of the inquiry into John's ministry, signaling the religious establishment's profound concern and scrutiny over his unconventional practices and prophetic claims.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows John the Baptist's emphatic denials of being the Christ, Elijah, or "the Prophet" (the eschatological prophet like Moses). In [John 1:19-21](/john/1-19-21 "John 1:19-21 - Delegation to John the Baptist"), priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem had directly questioned his identity. John then clarifies his role, quoting [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice Crying in the Wilderness") by declaring himself "the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord!'" ([John 1:23](/john/1-23 "John 1:23 - John Identifies Himself as the Voice")). The identification in [John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") that "they which were sent were of the Pharisees" adds a significant layer to the narrative. It indicates that the delegation was not merely curious but represented a powerful, orthodox religious faction deeply invested in maintaining religious order and scrutinizing any new movement that might challenge their authority or interpretation of the Law. This detail heightens the tension and foreshadows the future conflicts between established religious authority and God's new work.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The **Pharisees** were one of the most influential and respected Jewish religious and political parties during the Second Temple period, particularly from the Hasmonean era through the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Their name, likely derived from the Aramaic *perishaya*, meaning "separated ones," reflected their commitment to ritual purity and strict adherence to both the written Mosaic Law and an extensive body of oral traditions, which they considered equally binding. Unlike the Sadducees, they believed in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and divine providence. They held significant sway among the common people due to their piety, learning, and accessibility, often meeting in synagogues rather than solely in the Temple. Their presence in the delegation to John the Baptist signifies the highest level of official religious concern. They were the guardians of Jewish orthodoxy and tradition, and any new religious movement, especially one involving public baptisms and drawing large crowds outside the established Temple rituals, would naturally fall under their intense scrutiny. Their primary concern would have been the source of John's authority for baptizing and preaching, and whether his ministry aligned with or threatened their understanding of divine law and prophetic expectation.

* **Key Themes:** The involvement of the Pharisees in this inquiry highlights several key themes central to the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, there is the theme of **Religious Scrutiny and Authority**. John's ministry, though divinely appointed, was unconventional and challenged the status quo, prompting an official investigation by those who saw themselves as the custodians of religious truth and practice. The Pharisees, with their emphasis on strict adherence to tradition and law, represented the pinnacle of this established authority. Secondly, the passage underscores the **Tension Between Divine Revelation and Human Tradition**. John's prophetic voice, directly from God, stood in contrast to the rigid interpretations and expectations of the religious elite. Their questioning reveals their struggle to discern God's work when it does not conform to their preconceived notions or established structures, a tension that will become even more pronounced in their encounters with Jesus. Finally, this episode subtly contributes to the theme of **Preparing the Way for the Messiah**. Despite their scrutiny, the Pharisees' very act of investigating John validates the significant impact of his ministry. John was fulfilling the prophecy of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord ([Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger Prepares the Way")), and their inquiry inadvertently confirms the spiritual ferment and expectation that John's ministry was generating, setting the stage for the revelation of the true Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō_):** This verb, G649, means "to send out (properly, on a mission)." It implies a deliberate commissioning with a specific purpose. Here, it emphasizes that the delegation was not merely a group of curious individuals but an official, authorized body dispatched by the religious authorities in Jerusalem. Their mission was to investigate John's claims and activities, highlighting the perceived threat or significance of his ministry.
* **were (Greek, _ēn_):** This word, G2258, is the imperfect tense of the verb "to be" (eimi). Its use here indicates a continuous state or ongoing reality: "they *were* of the Pharisees." It's not that some Pharisees joined the delegation later, but that from the outset, the group sent included members of this influential sect, emphasizing their inherent presence and the nature of the delegation.
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos_):** G5330, derived from a Hebrew root meaning "separated ones," denotes a Jewish sectary known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. Their inclusion in the delegation signifies the highest level of religious scrutiny and concern. Their presence indicates that the inquiry was not merely about John's baptism but about his prophetic claims and the potential challenge he posed to their established religious order and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they which were sent":** This clause refers back to the delegation mentioned in [John 1:19](/john/1-19 "John 1:19 - Delegation from Jerusalem"), consisting of priests and Levites from Jerusalem. The addition of "which were sent" reiterates their official capacity and the deliberate nature of their mission to interrogate John the Baptist. It underscores that this was not a casual encounter but a formal inquiry initiated by the religious establishment.
* **"were of the Pharisees":** This crucial identification specifies the composition of the delegation. It reveals that among the priests and Levites, there were also members of the Pharisaic party. This detail is highly significant because the Pharisees were known for their zealous adherence to the Law, their extensive oral traditions, and their prominent influence over Jewish religious life. Their presence elevated the inquiry from a mere priestly concern to a matter of theological orthodoxy and religious authority, indicating a deep-seated interest in evaluating John's claims and practices against their strict standards.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** by using "Pharisees" to represent the broader religious establishment's concern and authority. While priests and Levites were also present, the specific mention of the Pharisees highlights their particular brand of strict orthodoxy and their role as guardians of the Law, making them a symbolic representation of the institutional religious power. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing**. The initial scrutiny of John the Baptist by the Pharisees sets a precedent for their later, more intense opposition to Jesus. This verse subtly introduces the key antagonists who will consistently challenge and reject God's incarnate Word, illustrating the recurring theme in John's Gospel of the world (and its religious leaders) failing to recognize or receive the light ([John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Know Him")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The identification of the delegation as including Pharisees in [John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") is profoundly significant, underscoring the inherent tension between God's new work and established religious systems. It highlights how human institutions, even those dedicated to God, can become so entrenched in tradition and self-preservation that they struggle to recognize or accept divine revelation when it appears in unexpected forms. The Pharisees, representing the pinnacle of Jewish piety and legal observance, were precisely the ones who, ironically, would most vehemently oppose both John the Baptist and Jesus. This dynamic reveals a recurring biblical theme: God often works outside or challenges the comfort zones of religious orthodoxy, calling for a radical openness to His Spirit rather than a rigid adherence to human-made rules or power structures. Their questioning of John's authority foreshadows their greater blindness to the one John came to announce.

* [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")
* [Luke 7:29-30](/luke/7-29-30 "Luke 7:29-30 - John's Baptism and the Pharisees' Rejection")
* [Acts 5:33-39](/acts/5-33-39 "Acts 5:33-39 - Gamaliel's Counsel to the Sanhedrin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") serves as a powerful reminder that genuine movements of God often face scrutiny, skepticism, and even opposition from established religious authorities. The Pharisees, for all their zeal and dedication to the Law, often prioritized their traditions and institutional power over the living word of God. This challenges us to cultivate a spirit of discernment and humility, ensuring that our faith is rooted in truth and a genuine relationship with God, rather than merely in human traditions or institutional approval. We are called to be like the Bereans, who "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" ([Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Acts 17:11 - The Noble Bereans")). This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts: are we open to God working in unconventional ways, or are we, like the Pharisees, prone to judging divine activity based on our preconceived notions, comfort zones, or the approval of human systems? True spiritual authority comes from God, not from human appointment or tradition, and recognizing it requires spiritual eyes to see beyond the visible and conventional.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might my own preconceived notions or traditions prevent me from recognizing God's work in unexpected places or through unconventional people?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to prioritize institutional approval or human authority over a direct, Spirit-led understanding of God's will?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper spiritual discernment that allows me to test all things against the truth of God's Word, rather than relying solely on external religious validation?**
* **Considering the Pharisees' ultimate rejection of Jesus, what lessons can I learn about the dangers of spiritual pride and rigid adherence to rules over relationship?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Pharisees specifically mentioned here, given that priests and Levites were also sent?**

Answer: The specific mention of the Pharisees in [John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") is crucial because it clarifies the nature and intensity of the delegation's inquiry. While priests and Levites represented the Temple hierarchy and its ritual authority, the Pharisees represented the most influential and zealous religious party among the Jewish people, known for their strict adherence to both written and oral law. Their presence indicated that the inquiry into John's ministry was not merely a procedural check but a deep theological scrutiny. They were concerned with orthodoxy, the source of John's authority for baptizing, and whether his claims aligned with their understanding of prophetic fulfillment, especially regarding the Messiah or Elijah. Their involvement elevated the stakes, signifying that John's activities were viewed as a significant challenge to the established religious order and their interpretation of divine law.

**What was the Pharisees' main concern regarding John the Baptist?**

Answer: The Pharisees' primary concern regarding John the Baptist revolved around the **source of his authority** and the **nature of his baptism**. They questioned, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" ([John 1:25](/john/1-25 "John 1:25 - The Pharisees Question John's Baptism")). For the Pharisees, baptism was typically associated with proselyte conversion or ritual purification, not as a widespread practice for Jews by a self-appointed prophet. They were guardians of Jewish tradition and law, and John's unconventional ministry, drawing large crowds and performing a baptism of repentance, likely seemed to bypass or even undermine their authority and the established Temple system. They sought to determine if John was a legitimate prophet sanctioned by God, or if he was a false prophet or an unauthorized religious leader who threatened the religious and social order they sought to maintain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The encounter between John the Baptist and the Pharisaic delegation in [John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person of Jesus. John's ministry was entirely preparatory, serving as the "voice crying in the wilderness" ([John 1:23](/john/1-23 "John 1:23 - John Identifies Himself as the Voice")) to announce the coming of the Messiah. The Pharisees' intense scrutiny of John, questioning his identity and authority, is a prelude to their even greater rejection of Jesus, the very one John came to proclaim. They, the supposed guardians of God's law and prophetic tradition, were unable to recognize the true Light when He came into the world ([John 1:9-11](/john/1-9-11 "John 1:9-11 - The True Light")). Their focus on external authority and human tradition blinded them to the divine authority embodied in Jesus. Jesus Himself would later confront the Pharisees directly, exposing their hypocrisy and legalism, and declaring that they "search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life" ([John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "John 5:39-40 - You Search the Scriptures")). Thus, [John 1:24](/john/1-24 "John 1:24 - The Pharisees' Delegation") sets the stage for the dramatic tension between the religious establishment and the incarnate Son of God, highlighting how the very people who should have recognized the Messiah were the ones who ultimately rejected Him, fulfilling the divine plan through their unbelief and paving the way for the universal offer of salvation through Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 11:39

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Luke 11:44

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over [them] are not aware [of them].

Matthew 23:13

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 23:15

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Luke 11:53

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

John 3:1

¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.