John 1:22

22 They asked, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

John 1:22 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:22

Then said they unto him, who art thou?
&c.] 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 represent him in a true light to those who had deputed them on this errand.

John 1:22 In-Context

20 John confessed (he didn't deny but confessed), "I'm not the Christ."

21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" John said, "I'm not." "Are you the prophet?" John answered, "No."

22 They asked, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 John replied, "I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord's path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said."

24 Those sent by the Pharisees