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Verse Takeaways
1
A Question of Authority
The Pharisees' question, "Why then do you baptize?" was a direct challenge to John's authority. Commentators explain that they believed only the Messiah, Elijah, or "the prophet" had the right to introduce such a significant new religious practice. Since John denied being any of these figures, they were demanding to know by what divine commission he was acting.
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John
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Commentaries
13
Albert Barnes
On John 1:25
18th Century
Theologian
Why do you baptize then... — Baptism on receiving a proselyte from paganism was common before the time of John, but it was not customary t…
AT Robertson
On John 1:25
Why then baptizest thou? (Τ ουν βαπτιζεισ; ). In view of his repeated denials (three here mentioned).
If thou art n…
Charles Ellicott
On John 1:25
19th Century
Bishop
Why do you baptize then?—Baptism, which was certainly one of the initiatory rites of proselytes in the second or third century A.D…
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 1:23–27
19th Century
Preacher
Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 1:25
The Pharisees represented the strict interpreters of the Law and were particularly interested in examining the credentials of any new religious tea…
John Calvin
On John 1:25
16th Century
Theologian
Why then do you baptize? By establishing those three categories, they appear to form a very conclusive argument: if you are not the Ch…
John Gill
On John 1:25
17th Century
Pastor
And they asked him, and said to him
They put a question, by saying to him, why baptize you then, if you …
Matthew Henry
On John 1:19–28
17th Century
Minister
John denies being the Christ, who was then expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. J…