The people thought that John might be the promised Messiah. His life was so unselfish, marked with humility and self-denial. His teachings, exhortations, and reproofs, were fervent, sincere, and courageous. In his mission, he turned not to the right or to the left to court the favors or applause of any. He did not aspire to worldly honor or worldly dignity, but was humble in heart and life, and did not assume honors that did not belong to him. He assured his followers that he was not the Christ. {2SP 57.1}

(57) Folk tænkte at Johannes måtte være den lovende messias. Hans liv var så uselvisk, markeret med ydmyghed og selvfornægtelse. Hans lære, formaninger, og irettesættelser var ivrige, oprigtige og modige. I hans mission, vendte han ikke til højre eller venstre for at indbyde til nogens bifald. Han stræbte ikke til verdslig ære eller verdslig værdighed, men var ydmyg i hjerte og liv, og påtog sig ikke ære som ikke tilhørte ham. Han forsikrede sine efterfølgere at han ikke var Kristus.