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Questions & Answers

St. John the Baptist

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › St. Mary and the Saints › St. John the Baptist

The question

If at the time of the baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, John the Baptist knew that it was Jesus and that He was the Christ, why did he ask the question that he had asked in Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 7:19 and Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 3:14?  And right after the baptism in Holy Gospel of St. John 1:34, St. John says "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of GOD."

The answer

St. John the Baptist was in prison and he knew that his end was  near. He knew exactly who our Lord Jesus Christ was. St. John noticed that although he was in prison, his disciples still loved him dearly, never left him, always attended on him, and were ready to receive instructions from him. At that point in his life, He wanted his disciples to turn their attention to the true Messiah; therefore, he sent them to our Lord Christ with this question,in order to have the affirmation from His blessed mouth. It was not out of doubt that he had sent them. It was for them to gain knowledge, and be confirmed in the faith.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 605 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.