and crucifixion. The Jews are tenacious of the expectation of a national Messiah. They represent the narrow, sectarian aspect of Judaism; they are the instigators and leaders of the opposi- tion to Jesus, and to them His crucifixion is attributed. John uses the word where the other Evangelists speak of the op- posers of Christ as Pharisees, Sadducees, elders, chief-priests, scribes, or lawyers. He recognizes the distinction between Pharisee and Sadducee, and though he does not mention the latter by name, he characterizes them by their position. Jesus is the key to the sense in which John employs the term Jews. He regards them in their relation to Him. The idea underly- ing the word is habitually that of separation from the character and privileges of a true Israelite through their rejection of Jesus.*
Sent (a7récrevkav). Asa deputation. See on ver. 6.
Priests and Levites. Representing the ecclesiastical ele- ment of the nation; the two classes employed in the temple service. See Josh. iii. 3; 2 Chron. xxx. 27; Ezek. xliv.15. The combination occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. These deputies probably came from the Sanhedrim.
To ask (iva épwryjcwow). Lit., im order that they should ask. See on Matt. xv. 23.
Who art thou (cv tis eZ)? Lit., thou, who art thou ?
90. He confessed and denied not. John’s characteristic combination of a positive and negative clause. See on ver. 3. Both verbs are used absolutely.
1am not the Christ. According to the proper reading, éya, I, stands first in the Baptist’s statement, the 671 having the force merely of quotation marks. It is emphatic: “I am not the Christ, though the Christ is here.” Some were questioning
* The student should by all means read Canon Westcott’s admirable sum- mary of this subject in the Introduction to his Commentary on John’s Gospel.