It is abundantly clear through his confession to the committee sent from "the Jews" (likely meaning the Sanhedrin, or ruling Council) that John had complete knowledge of both who he was and was not. He knew he was only the voice (phoné in Greek meaning, "sound") of Isa.40:3 as prophesied by the angel to his father Zacharias. He knew also by direct revelation from God. Thus, in his answer, John refers them to the One who is already among them and will come after him. This is by what authority he spoke!

Here was no small confession. This is the moment in time for which he was born. Prior to this embassage from the authorities, his audience was comprised from the general population, with little pressure to refuse revealing his purpose as witness to Christ. But now the moment of truth had arrived: confronted by the Jewish authorities for explanation of his actions, would he shrink from his duty, or speak boldly without shame or fear his witness for Christ? John states his actions in both the positive and negative senses, indicating the options all have in that crucial moment when pressed to speak of their personal commitment and calling, "he confessed, and denied not." How often have we failed under similar circumstances, or maybe excused ourselves with a timid response? May John's courage and boldness be our example today!

Although announced to Mary prior to Jesus' birth, John is the first to recognize and declare Jesus to the world as the Christ, the Anointed One. And though John and Jesus were cousins by birth, John's knowledge did not come through either: (1) his own perception, "I knew him not" ("knew" = oida, meaning, "perceived"), or, (2) his association with Him, but directly revealed by His Spirit and seen in the sign of the Dove.

He thus declares Him exactly as identified -- the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world -- no more, no less. All too often, in their day and ours, men since have attempted to add their own personal interpretations on the Christ, as revealed, and His message, first with the Judaizers and now the Gnostics of John's day. Hence, the Christian voice has become so fractured in today's society that at times it is no wonder that it seems confusing to the unbelieving world. We have become great defenders and perpetuators of denominationalism, rather than proclaimers of Christ and His gospel. If Christianity is loosing ground to the world's many false religions, it is due in great part to this! It is those churches and people who, as Paul, preach Christ and Him crucified, that are experiencing the blessings of genuine continued growth. He alone is the answer to every man's hopes and the magnet to which all others are drawn. When church leaders appeal to men through any other means (e.g. emotions, intellect, entertainment, aesthetics, etc.) they should not be surprised when Satan comes in among them, so closely resembling an attractive world, yet subtly creating an illusion of Christ-likeness and false hope, that in the end leads both leader and follower to peril and ruin and makes genuine Christianity appear to the world as a colossal failure. This is not Christianity. It was not in John's day and it remains false even today.

Personal pride often prevents a leader from pointing to another who will supersede him in his work and permitting a follower to realign his loyalties, or, at the very least, would not encourage him to do so. Through the witness to the Baptist's own disciples, the writer shows this pride is nowhere evident in this forerunner to Christ. He did not shrink from the authorities, nor will he in the private moment with his own intimate associates. Again, his example is to be emulated by any and all who would call Jesus, the Christ.

In all the above instances, no obstacle placed before the Baptist caused him to waver in his witness. Could the same be said of us?