Albert Barnes Commentary John 1:20

"And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ." — John 1:20 (ASV)

I am not the Christ — This confession proves that John was not an impostor. He had a wide reputation. The nation was expecting that the Messiah was about to come, and multitudes were ready to believe that John was he (Luke 3:15).

If John had been an impostor, he would have taken advantage of this excited state of public feeling, proclaimed himself to be the Messiah, and formed a large party in his favor. The fact that he did not do so is full proof that he did not intend to deceive people, but came only as the forerunner of Christ.

His example shows that all Christians, and especially all Christian ministers, however much they may be honored and blessed, should be willing to lay all their honors at the feet of Jesus. They should also keep themselves back and hold up before the world only the Son of God.

To do this is one eminent mark of the true spirit of a minister of the gospel.