Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 1:22

"They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?" — John 1:22 (ASV)

The suggestion that John the Baptist might be identified with Elijah reflected the Jewish expectation that the return of Elijah would precede the advent of the Messiah . Because John’s rough exterior and ascetic tendencies corresponded to Elijah’s type of personality (cf. Mark 6:14), some identified him with the stormy prophet who had challenged Ahab (1 Kings 17– 19). John rejected the suggestion and denied that he was Elijah raised from the dead.

Again they asked, “Are you the Prophet?” referring probably to God’s word to Moses in Dt 18:15 (see also comment on 7:40, where some people thought Jesus might be the Prophet). When John disclaimed identity with all these persons, the delegation demanded in exasperation, “Who are you?”