John Gill Commentary John 1:24

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

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. Who were the straitest sect of religion among the Jews; were very zealous of the traditions of the elders, and professed an expectation of the Messiah; and were famous in the nation for their knowledge and learning, as well as for their devotion and sanctity: and many of them were in the sanhedrim, as appears from (John 3:1) (Acts 23:6) , (See Gill on Matthew 3:7).