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John 1:19-27 (ANIV)
John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” [1]
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ “ [2]
24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptise with [9] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

[1]
Or, Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One”; also in John 1:25.

[2]
Isaiah 40:3.

DRAWING NOTES:

TIME OF DAY:
Unspecified in Bible narrative. I have set this scene in the late morning.

LIGHTING NOTES:
The sun (unseen & high on the right) illuminates this scene, casting shadows below & to the left of figures & objects.

CHARACTERS PRESENT:
From left to right: On the river bank are a Pharisee, two priests/Levites. An unnamed man is standing in the water, with John the Baptist, who is about to baptise him.

RESEARCH/ADDITIONAL NOTES:
This scene is designed to illustrate the interaction between John the Baptist & the various priests, Levites & Pharisees who were sent to discover who he was. Verse 19 informs us that the Jews of Jerusalem (probably the Sanhedrin or ruling council of the Jews) sent priests & Levites to ask John who he was. When asked, John told the Jews that he was not the Messiah/Christ.

There are reeds behind the figures, which grow profusely along the banks of the river Jordan. Palm trees can also be seen behind the reed beds.

Here is the scene without the figures in the foreground.

John 01 – John the Baptist – Scene 01 – John’s testimony – Background