Questions about St. John the Baptist

[holdencaulfield]

I have some questions about St. John the Baptist. He seems to say some conflicting things about himself.

He says that he is not Elijah:

“They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’” (John 1:21)

Yet Christ says that St. John the Baptist is the second Elijah:

“‘And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.’” (Matthew 11:14)

St. John the Baptist says that he is not a prophet:

“‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’” (John 1:21)

Yet St. John the Baptist later says things that would make him a prophet:

“‘I baptize with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” (John 1:26-27)

Was St. John the Baptist merely being humble. Please help me clear this up.

 

[thistle]

I have some questions about St. John the Baptist. He seems to say some conflicting things about himself.

He says that he is not Elijah:

Yet Christ says that St. John the Baptist is the second Elijah:

St. John the Baptist says that he is not a prophet:

Yet St. John the Baptist later says things that would make him a prophet:

Was St. John the Baptist merely being humble. Please help me clear this up.

Scripture does not say John the Baptist was litterally Elijah.

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 14. He is Elias, &c. Not in person, but in spirit. (Luke i. 17) (Challoner) — John is here styled Elias, not in the same manner as those who taught the transmigration of souls; but the meaning is, that the precursor came in the spirit and virtue of Elias, and had the same fulness of the Holy Ghost. The Baptist is not undeservedly styled Elias, both for the austerity of his life, and for his sufferings. Elias upbraided Achab and Jezabel for their impieties, and was obliged to flee. John blamed the unlawful marriage of Herod and Herodias, and died for his virtue. (St. Jerome in St. Thomas Aquinas).

Also see Luke 1:17:

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Scripture is clearly talking about John the Baptist being Elijah in spirit and not literally.

Also John does not say he is not a prophet. He says he is not THE prophet (obviously referring to Jesus).

 

[holdencaulfield]

Scripture is clearly talking about John the Baptist being Elijah in spirit and not literally.

Oh yes great point. So yes Christ said that he was figuratively the Second Elijah, but the people asked St. John if he was literally Elijah so he said no, because he was not.

Also John does not say he is not a prophet. He says he is not THE prophet (obviously referring to Jesus).

Oh yes you are right, they asked him if he was the prophet, like they earlier asked him if he was the Christ, since he obviously was not either, then he said no.