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John 1:22

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?
20And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.
24And they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?
← John 1:21John 1:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said they unto him, who art thou? etc.] Since, as yet, he had only answered in negatives, who he was not, that he was not the Christ, nor Elias, nor that prophet; they desire he would give them a positive account who he was: that we may give answer to them that sent us; that their labour might not be in vain; that they might not come so far for nothing, without knowing who he was; and that they might be capable of giving an account of him to the sanhedrim: what sayest thou of thyself? they insisted on it, that he would openly, and honestly declare who he was, and what was his office and business; that from his own mouth, and not from the opinion and conjectures of others, they might…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:22-23 Then who are you? John the Baptist simply wanted to be known as a voice shouting in the wilderness (see Isa 40:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Sa2 24:13 John 1:23”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification