The disciples of John were at this time in great sorrow. It was before their visit to Jesus with John's message. Their beloved teacher was in prison, and they passed their days in mourning. And Jesus was making no effort to release John, and even appeared to cast discredit on his teaching. If John had been sent by God, why did Jesus and His disciples pursue a course so widely different?

Johannes' disciple var på dette tidspunkt opfyldte af stor sorg. Det var, før de var kommet til Jesus med Johannes' budskab. Deres elskede lærer var kastet i fængsel, og deres liv gik hen i sorg. Og Jesus gjorde intet for at udfri Johannes og syntes endog næsten at svække tilliden til hans lære. Hvis Johannes var blevet sendt af Gud, hvorfor fulgte så Jesus og hans disciple en så vidt forskellig fremgangsmåde?