John 1:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John denies being Elijah returned in person or the prophet promised through Moses.
What Does John 1:21 Mean?
The delegation works down its list of expected figures. Elias is Elijah, whom Malachi promised before the great day of the Lord; that prophet is the prophet like Moses promised in Deuteronomy 18. John truly came in the spirit and power of Elias, as Jesus would affirm, yet he is not Elijah returned in person, and the Prophet of Moses' promise is Christ himself. So he answers, I am not. No.
His replies keep getting shorter; he will spend no breath on himself. There is a lesson in the shrinking answers: humility is not thinking poorly of yourself, it is hardly thinking of yourself at all. The forerunner guards his smallness so that the One he heralds can fill the whole frame.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 1:21
What does John 1:21 mean?
John denies being Elijah returned in person or the prophet promised through Moses.