“And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?”
Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was — the official interrogation begins, shifting from the Prologue's theological exposition to narrative inquiry. The formal delegation of religious authorities establishes tension that will persist throughout the Gospel. The question "who he was" frames the entire Gospel's concern: not merely what John did but his identity.
Church Fathers on John 1:19
This is the second testimony of John the Baptist to Christ, the first began with, This is He of Whom I spoke; and ended with, He has declared Him.
Or, after the introduction above of John’s testimony to Christ, is preferred before me, the Evangelist now adds when the above testimony was given, And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem.
Such confidence had they in John, that they were ready to believe him on his own words: witness how it is said, To ask him, Who are you?
Read all 22 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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