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These religious leaders were priests and Levites. They were sent
by the “Jews” or the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the Jews, and it was composed
of 71 religious leaders. Rabbi Hillel was once the president of this important council. During Jesus’
time here on earth, the Sadducees controlled both the Sanhedrin Council and the temple in Jerusalem. It is
not a surprise that most of the priests and Levites were Sadducees, since they ministered at the Temple. It
was a closed group.
The Pharisees controlled the synagogues and were very popular with the people. The Sanhedrin
Council included a small number of Pharisees. A smaller number of the priests and Levites were Pharisees. The
Pharisees were religiously conservative, yet they basically rejected the Bible in favor of the Oral Law. The
Sanhedrin were wealthy and politically connected. So the Sanhedrin Council apparently sent priests and Levites
from both the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
The Questions. So why were priests and Levites sent to John? We know that they
did not come to encourage John or to offer him support. John had already rebuked them. They were coming for
another purpose. So their opening question was “Who are you?”
And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (NASB) John 1:20 John emphatically said, I am not the Christ!” John wanted them to know that he was not the Christ.
So they asked him some more questions.
They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” (NASB) John 1:21 Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet? Both times John answered, “No.” Were these questions honest
inquiry? The answer is, “No!”
The Trap. Why did they ask John these questions? At the time that Jesus was
here, the Jews believed that the spirit of prophecy had departed from Israel after the prophets Zechariah and
Elijah died. They believed that the spirit of prophecy would return when the Messiah arrived. They said that
the world would be renewed at the coming of Messiah.
We will soon discover that apparently they knew John would say that he was not the Messiah,
Elijah, or the Prophet of Deut. 18:15-18. They were attempting to demonstrate that John did not have authority
for his ministry. Next, the priests and Levites ask a general question, |
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| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||
