20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Messiah."

Other Translations of John 1:20

King James Version

20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

English Standard Version

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

The Message

20 He didn't evade the question. He told the plain truth: "I am not the Messiah."

New King James Version

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

New Living Translation

20 He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 1:20

Commentary on John 1:19-28

(Read John 1:19-28)

John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service.