Like the Saviour's disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ's kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled. He had declared to the people that in order for the way to be prepared before the Lord, the prophecy of Isaiah must be fulfilled; the mountains and hills must be brought low, the crooked made straight, and the rough places plain. He had looked for the high places of human pride and power to be cast down. He had pointed to the Messiah as the One whose fan was in His hand, and who would thoroughly purge His floor, who would gather the wheat into His garner, and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Like the prophet Elijah, in whose spirit and power he had come to Israel, he looked for the Lord to reveal Himself as a God that answereth by fire.

Ligesom Frelserens disciple forstod heller ikke Johannes Døber, af hvad art Kristi rige var. Han ventede, at Jesus skulle bestige Davids trone, og efterhånden som tiden gik og Frelseren ikke gjorde noget krav på kongelig myndighed, blev Johannes forvirret og bekymret. Han havde forkyndt for folket, at Esajas' profeti måtte opfyldes, for at Herrens vej kunne blive beredt: at bjergene og højene skulle sænkes, det krogede rettes ud og bakkelandet blive fladt. Han havde ventet, at den menneskelige stoltheds og magts højborge skulle omstyrtes. Han havde vist hen til Messias som den, der havde kasteskovlen i sin hånd, og som ville gennemrense sin lo, samle hveden i sin lade og opbrænde avnerne med uslukkelig ild. Ligesom profeten Elias, i hvis ånd og kraft han var kommen til Israel, ventede han, at Herren skulle åbenbare sig som en Gud, der giver sit svar med ild.