And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Barnes' Notes
Why baptizest thou then ... - Baptism on receiving a proselyte from “paganism” was common before the time of John, but it was not customary to baptize a “Jew.” John had changed the custom. He baptized…
Adam Clarke
Why baptizest thou then? - Baptism was a very common ceremony among the Jews, who never received a proselyte into the full enjoyment of a Jew's privileges, till he was both baptized and circumcised.…
We have here the testimony of John, which he delivered to the messengers who were sent from Jerusalem to examine him. Observe here,
I. Who they were that sent to him, and who they were that were sent.…
Cambridge Bible
Why baptizest thou then? -What right have you to treat Jews as if they were proselytes and make them submit to a rite which implies that they are impure?" Had they forgotten Zec 13:1; Eze 36:25?
be…
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