ThenThis word indicates a continuation of the narrative, linking the current events to the preceding verses. It suggests a sequence of events where John the Baptist is being questioned about his identity and mission.
the Pharisees
The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judaism during the time of Jesus. They were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They often held significant influence over the religious and social life of the Jewish people. In the Gospels, they frequently appear as opponents of Jesus, challenging His teachings and authority. Their presence here indicates the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the potential threat they perceived it posed to their religious authority.
who had been sent
This phrase implies that the Pharisees were not acting on their own initiative but were dispatched by a higher authority, likely the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. This suggests an official inquiry into John the Baptist's activities, reflecting the concern of the religious leaders about his growing influence. The act of sending representatives also highlights the organized structure and authority of the Jewish religious system at the time.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhariseesA religious and political group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They were influential in the Sanhedrin and often questioned Jesus and His followers.
2.
John the BaptistAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the central figure in the surrounding context. John was a prophet who baptized people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
3.
The SanhedrinThe Jewish ruling council that sent the Pharisees to question John the Baptist. They were concerned about maintaining religious order and authority.
4.
Bethany beyond the JordanThe location where John was baptizing, as mentioned earlier in the chapter. It was a significant place for John's ministry.
5.
The MessiahThe awaited Savior in Jewish tradition, whom John the Baptist was preparing the way for, as he testified about Jesus.
Teaching Points
Understanding Religious AuthorityThe Pharisees represent religious authority and tradition. Reflect on how religious traditions can both guide and hinder spiritual understanding.
The Role of a ForerunnerJohn the Baptist's role was to prepare the way for Jesus. Consider how we can prepare the way for Christ in our own lives and communities.
Questioning with PurposeThe Pharisees questioned John to understand his authority. Evaluate the intentions behind our questions about faith and doctrine.
Recognizing the MessiahThe Pharisees were looking for the Messiah but failed to recognize Him. Reflect on how we can be more attuned to recognizing God's work in our lives.
The Importance of RepentanceJohn’s message was one of repentance. Emphasize the ongoing need for repentance in the Christian life as a preparation for encountering Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 1:24?
2.How does John 1:24 highlight the authority of the Pharisees questioning John?
3.What role do the Pharisees play in the context of John 1:24?
4.How does John 1:24 connect with John the Baptist's mission in Isaiah 40:3?
5.How can we discern true spiritual authority in our lives today?
6.What can we learn from John the Baptist's response to questioning in John 1:24?
7.What is the significance of the Pharisees questioning John in John 1:24?
8.How does John 1:24 reflect the religious authority of the Pharisees?
9.Why were the Pharisees concerned about John's baptisms in John 1:24?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 1?
11.What does doubting your salvation mean?
12.Mark 3:14-19: Why do details about the calling and naming of the Twelve differ in other Gospels, raising questions about inconsistencies in the biblical text?
13.John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?
14.Who will be judged? (John 5:22 vs. Romans 8:1)What Does John 1:24 Mean
Then• The word signals a real moment in time, anchoring the narrative in a literal sequence of events (John 1:19, 29).
• John has just confessed that he is “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (John 1:23, quotingIsaiah 40:3). The next thing that happens is this inquiry, underscoring that God’s plan is steadily unfolding without pause (Galatians 4:4).
• The timing reminds us that when God is moving, opposition or scrutiny often follows immediately (Exodus 5:1–2;Acts 4:1–2).
the Pharisees• They were the respected experts in Scripture and tradition (Matthew 23:2–3). Their presence shows this was no casual visit but an authoritative investigation (Luke 5:17).
• Earlier, Matthew records them coming to John’s baptism with skepticism (Matthew 3:7). Here John’s Gospel highlights the same posture: religion evaluating revival rather than embracing it (John 9:16).
• Their reputation for rule-keeping yet missing the heart of God sets the stage for the tension that will run through the entire Gospel (John 5:39-40;Luke 18:9-14).
who had been sent• They are an official delegation, not acting on personal curiosity but on assignment from Jerusalem’s leadership (John 1:19). Authority structures are testing the authenticity of John’s ministry—just as they will test Jesus later (John 2:18; 7:32).
• Being “sent” echoes the biblical pattern of witnesses or spies dispatched to assess God’s work (Numbers 13:17;Luke 7:24). Ironically, while they came to examine, they themselves become evidence of prophecy fulfilled: opposition to God’s forerunner was foretold (Malachi 3:1;Isaiah 40:3-5).
• Their mission focuses on John’s act of baptizing (John 1:25). Because baptism implied preparation for Messiah’s imminent arrival (Isaiah 52:11;Ezekiel 36:25-27), their questioning reveals anxiety over losing control of the people (John 11:48).
• The verse also underscores John’s humility: confronted by officials, he still points away from himself to “the One coming after me” (John 1:27), fulfilling his role as witness (John 1:6-8; 3:28-30).
summaryJohn 1:24 shows an official team of Pharisees arriving on the heels of earlier questioning. Their presence verifies the historic reality of the account, highlights the religious establishment’s scrutiny of God’s new work, and sets the scene for John to redirect attention to the true Messiah. The verse reminds us that genuine moves of God often draw both curiosity and resistance, yet His purpose advances unhindered.
(24)
They which were sent.--The best MSS. omit the relative, and the verse thus becomes, "And they had been sent from the Pharisees." (For account of the Pharisees, see Note on
Matthew 3:7.) The statement is made to explain the question which follows, but it should be observed that in this Gospel, where the Sadducees are nowhere mentioned, the term "Pharisees" seems to be used almost in the sense of "Sanhedrin." (Comp.
John 4:1;
John 8:3;
John 11:46;
John 11:57.)
Verse 24. -
Andtheyhad been sent from the Pharisees, which amounts to the same thing as "they which were sent were of the Pharisees," and it is after the manner of John to introduce explanatory, retrospective comment, which may throw light on what follows (vers. 41, 45;
John 4:30;
John 11:5). The
οϋν of the following verse shows that we have still to do with the same deputation. The Pharisees were accustomed to lustral rites, but had legal points to make as to the authority of any man who dared to impose them upon the sacred nation, and especially on their own section, which made its special boast of ceremonial exactitude and purity. They might justify an old prophet, or the Elijah of Malachi, and still more the Christ himself, should he call men to baptismal cleansing. But the dim mysterious "voice in the wilderness," even if John could prove his words, had no such prescriptive claim. The Pharisaic priests and Levites would take strong views on the baptismal question, and even exalt it into a more eminent place in their thoughts than the fundamental question, "Art thou the very Christ?" The same confusion of essential and accidental elements of religious truth and life was not confined to old Pharisees.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
ThenΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.PhariseesΦαρισαίων(Pharisaiōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330:Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.who had been sentἀπεσταλμένοι(apestalmenoi)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 649:From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.
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NT Gospels: John 1:24 The ones who had been sent were (Jhn Jo Jn) 
