John was troubled to see that through love for him, his own disciples were cherishing unbelief in regard to Jesus. Had his work for them been fruitless? Had he been unfaithful in his mission, that he was now cut off from labor? If the promised Deliverer had appeared, and John had been found true to his calling, would not Jesus now overthrow the oppressor's power, and set free His herald?

Det bekymrede Johannes at se, at hans egne disciple på grund af deres kærlighed til ham, som til at nære vantro med hensyn til Jesus. Havde hans arbejde for dem mon været forgæves? Havde han mon ikke været tro i sit kald, siden han nu var afskåret fra at kunne arbejde? Hvis den forjættede befrier var kommet og Johannes var blevet fundet tro mod sit kald, ville så ikke Jesus omstyrte undertrykkerens magt og atter skænke sit sendebud friheden?