John 1:24 Commentary and Bible Study

Why does John tell us that those who questioned John the Baptist were of the Pharisees? To prepare us for their lack of insight into what has been said in the previous verse, and to link back to the record of the other gospels. The character of the interaction between John and the Pharisees is made clear by Matthew: ‘But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” ’ (Matthew 3:7-10). John treated them with severity because he knew their hearts. The contempt of the Pharisees for John’s message is confirmed by Christ when he tells us that for the most part they did not submit to John’s baptism (Luke 7:30), and sums up their verdict: ‘For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil’ (Luke 7:33). Their unbelief is also admitted by the chief priests, scribes and elders (Mark 11:31).