John 1:20

20 And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

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 man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who art thou?"

20 And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

21 And they asked him, "What then? Art thou Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Art thou that Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

22 Then said they unto him, "Who art thou, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?"