Καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Ἰωάννου, ὅτε ἀπέστειλαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐξ Ἱεροσολύμων ἱερεῖς καὶ Λευίτας ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτόν· σὺ τίς εἶ; (John 1:19)
And this is the testimony of John: when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem in order to ask him, “Who are you?”
Witness as Narrative Frame
The verse introduces John the Baptist’s testimony (ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Ἰωάννου) with solemn clarity. The noun μαρτυρία (testimony, witness) is central to Johannine theology: it denotes not private opinion but a public declaration with legal force. The verse’s syntax situates John in a courtroom-like setting, where testimony is demanded.
Temporal Marker: ὅτε ἀπέστειλαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι
- ὅτε – temporal conjunction, “when.”
- ἀπέστειλαν – aorist active indicative, 3rd plural of ἀποστέλλω, “they sent.”
The aorist marks a single decisive action: emissaries were dispatched. The subject, οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, here refers not to all Jews generally but to the Jerusalem leadership, emphasized by ἐξ Ἱεροσολύμων.
The Delegation: ἱερεῖς καὶ Λευίτας
- Both nouns are accusative plural, direct objects of ἀπέστειλαν.
- This pairing reflects Temple authority: priests and Levites tasked with examining claims of prophets and movements.
Thus, John’s ministry provokes official scrutiny, setting the stage for formal interrogation.
The Purpose Clause: ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτόν
- ἵνα – introduces a final clause (purpose).
- ἐρωτήσωσιν – aorist active subjunctive, 3rd plural of ἐρωτάω, “they might ask.”
The subjunctive is necessary after ἵνα, indicating intended purpose rather than certain outcome. The purpose is interrogation: “in order to ask him.”
The Direct Question: Σὺ τίς εἶ;
- σὺ – emphatic pronoun, placed first for stress: “You—who are you?”
- τίς – interrogative pronoun, nominative singular, “who?”
- εἶ – present indicative, 2nd singular of εἰμί.
The structure highlights identity. It is not “what are you doing?” but “Who are you?”—a question of essence, status, and authority.
Table: Verbal Forms and Their Force
| Verb | Parsing | Function | Interpretive Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἐστίν | Present indicative, 3rd singular | Defines John’s testimony | Anchors narrative in present assertion |
| ἀπέστειλαν | Aorist indicative, 3rd plural | Main action of sending | Decisive intervention by leadership |
| ἐρωτήσωσιν | Aorist subjunctive, 3rd plural | Purpose clause | Marks intended interrogation |
| εἶ | Present indicative, 2nd singular | Question of identity | Not function but essence |
The Grammar of Identity
The verse’s structure is telling:
- Testimony (ἡ μαρτυρία)
- Sending (ἀπέστειλαν)
- Purpose (ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν)
- Question (Σὺ τίς εἶ;)
John is not asked for activity but identity. Grammar shapes theology: the interrogative pronoun and emphatic pronoun press the issue of “who,” preparing for John’s confession: “I am not the Christ.”
In this way, grammar itself becomes testimony.
