The Witness of John the Baptist (1:19-34)
A 19-28. The record a 19.
`Who art thou?'
b 20-21. Not the Christ, Elijah
of John, when
asked by Jews.
or that Prophet.
a 22.
`Who art thou?'
b 23.
I am a Voice.
a 24,25. `Why baptizest thou?'
b 26,27. He it is.
c 29,30. Behold the Lamb of God.
A 29-34. The record
d 31.
of John when
I knew Him not.
e 31.
he saw the sign.
John's baptism.
f 31.
Water.
c 32.
I saw the Spirit.
d 33.
I knew Him not.
e 33.
Christ's baptism.
f 33.
Holy Ghost.
c 34.
The Son of God.
We must now acquaint ourselves a little more fully with the facts
brought out by this witness, and their bearing upon the purpose of the
Gospel.
Unless the reader has already made a study of the testimony of
John the Baptist, it is very unlikely, if he were asked how many times
he is mentioned by name in the Gospels and the Acts, that his answer
would be anywhere near the correct number. John the Baptist is
actually mentioned no less than ninety times in the New Testament,
whereas John, the writer of the Gospel, is mentioned only thirty-five
times by name, including the references in the Revelation.
Luke, in his first chapter, gives the detailed story of the Baptist's
birth, and in chapter 3 speaks of his unworthiness when compared with
the One Who was to follow:
`And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their
hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered,
saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One
mightier than I cometh, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy
to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire'
(Luke 3:15,16).