John 1:21

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτόν, Τί οὖν; Ἠλίας εἶ σύ; Καὶ λέγει, Οὐκ εἰμί. Ὁ προφήτης εἶ σύ; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη, Οὔ.

Transliteration

And they ērōtēsan auton, What then? Ēlias ei sy? And he legei, Not eimi. The prophētēs ei sy? And he apekrithē, No.

Grammar Details

• *ērōtēsan*: aorist active indicative 3rd person plural of *erōtaō* - asked/questioned
• *auton*: accusative masculine singular pronoun - him
• *Ēlias*: nominative masculine singular - Elijah
• *ei*: present active indicative 2nd person singular of *eimi* - are
• *sy*: nominative 2nd person singular pronoun - you
• *legei*: present active indicative 3rd person singular of *legō* - says
• *eimi*: present active indicative 1st person singular of *eimi* - am
• *prophētēs*: nominative masculine singular - prophet
• *apekrithē*: aorist passive indicative 3rd person singular of *apokrinomai* - answered

Word Meanings

• *ērōtēsan*: asked/questioned/inquired
• *Ēlias*: Elijah (expected to return before Messiah)
• *prophētēs*: prophet (likely referring to prophet like Moses from Deut 18:15)
• *apekrithē*: answered/replied/responded

Referenced Verses

• Matt 11:14 : 14 And if you are willing to receive [it], this is Elijah, that is to come.
• Matt 16:14 : 14 And they said, Some [say] John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
• John 1:25 : 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?
• John 7:40 : 40 [ Some] of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
• Deut 18:15-18 : 15 Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16 according to all that thou desiredst of Jehovah thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Jehovah my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17 And Jehovah said unto me, They have well said that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
• Mal 4:5 : 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
• Matt 11:9-9 : 9 But why went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 10 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
• Matt 17:10-12 : 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? 11 And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things: 12 but I say into you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.
• Luke 1:17 : 17 And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient [to] [walk] in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared [for him].