John was acquainted with the events that had marked the birth of Jesus. He had heard of the visit to Jerusalem in His boyhood, and of what had passed in the school of the rabbis. He knew of His sinless life, and believed Him to be the Messiah; but of this he had no positive assurance. The fact that Jesus had for so many years remained in obscurity, giving no special evidence of His mission, gave occasion for 110 doubt as to whether He could be the Promised One. The Baptist, however, waited in faith, believing that in God's own time all would be made plain. It had been revealed to him that the Messiah would seek baptism at his hands, and that a sign of His divine character should then be given. Thus he would be enabled to present Him to the people.

Johannes vidste god besked om de begivenheder, der kendetegnede Jesu fødsel. Han havde hørt om Jesu besøg i Jerusalem som dreng og om, hvad der var foregået i rabbinernes skole. Han havde hørt om Jesu syndfri liv og troede, at han var Messias; men han havde ikke nogen afgørende forvisning. Den kendsgerning, at Jesus i så mange år havde levet ukendt og ikke givet noget særligt bevis på sit kald, gav anledning til tvivl om, hvorvidt han kunne være den Forjættede. Men Døberen ventede alligevel i tro, fordi han vidste, at det alt sammen ville komme til at ske i Guds time. Det var blevet ham åbenbaret, at Messias ville komme for at lade sig døbe af ham, og at der så ville blive givet et tegn på hans guddommelige oprindelse. På denne måde ville han blive i stand til at forestille ham for folket.