Definition: And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous verse from John 1:25. It’s a really important question in the Bible, and it gets to the heart of what Jesus is doing. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: Jesus was being questioned about why he was performing a special act – baptizing people – when he wasn't actually the Christ (God’s Son) or Elias (a Jewish prophet). It seemed like a strange and unusual thing to do. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And they asked him…” - This is just telling us that people were asking Jesus about this. “…and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ?” – This is the core of the question. “Baptizest thou then?” means "Are you doing this?" or "Are you performing this action?" “nor that prophet?” - This highlights that Jesus was also a human being, and he wasn't just some divine figure. Putting it together – What’s the point? Jesus was answering this question because he was showing God’s love to people through his actions. Baptism is a symbol of repentance (turning away from sin) and receiving forgiveness. It’s a way for Jesus to show that anyone can be saved and reconciled with God. It's about the importance of faith: The verse emphasizes that faith in Jesus is what matters most. Simply being a prophet or a person who believes in Jesus isn’t enough. You need to believe in him, and that belief needs to be expressed through actions like baptism. In essence, this verse is saying: “It's not about who you are, but about what you do.” Jesus was demonstrating his power of forgiveness and love to humanity by performing a symbolic act that involved repentance and acceptance. Important Note: This passage is really important for understanding Jesus’ identity and the core message of Christianity – that salvation comes through faith in him, not just through following religious rules. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like a deeper dive into: The historical context of the time? The symbolism behind baptism?