Albert Barnes Commentary John 1:24

"And they had been sent from the Pharisees." — John 1:24 (ASV)

Were of the Pharisees – For an account of this sect, see the notes at Matthew 3:7. It is not certainly known why they are particularly mentioned. Many of the "Sadducees" came to his baptism (Matthew 3:7), but it seems that they did not join in sending to him to learn John’s purpose. This circumstance is one of those incidental and delicate allusions that would not occur to an impostor forging a book, and which show that the writers of the New Testament were honest men and knew what they affirmed. Because:

1. The Pharisees composed a great part of the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:6). It is probable that a deputation from the Sanhedrin would be of that party.

2. The Pharisees were very tenacious of rites and customs, of traditions and ceremonies. They observed many. They believed that these were lawful (Mark 7:3–4).

   Of course, they believed that those rites might be increased, but they did not suppose that this could be done except by the authority of a prophet or of the Messiah.

   Therefore, when John came "baptizing" – adding a rite to be observed by his followers, baptizing not only Gentiles but also Jews – the question was whether he had authority to institute a new rite and whether it was to be received among the religious ceremonies.

   The Sadducees felt no interest in this question, for they rejected all such rites at once. However, the Pharisees thought it was worth inquiry, and it was a question on which they felt themselves specially called to act as the guardians of the religious ceremonies.