John 1:20

20 John didn't refuse to answer. He told them clearly, "I'm not the Messiah."

John 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:20

And he confessed, and denied not
He freely, and without any reserve, declared, and in the plainest and strongest terms professed to the messengers before all the people, that he was not the Messiah; nor did he retract his confession, or draw in his words again, or drop any thing that looked doubtful or suspicious; but confessed, I am not the Christ:
he stood to it, and insisted on it, that he was not that illustrious person; nor had they any reason to entertain such an opinion of him; nor would he have them do so; they might assure themselves he was not Christ.

John 1:20 In-Context

18 No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, the one who is closest to the Father's heart, has made him known.

19 This was John's answer when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

20 John didn't refuse to answer. He told them clearly, "I'm not the Messiah."

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

22 So they asked him, "Who are you? Tell us so that we can take an answer back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"