LITERATURE OF GNOSTIC WISDOM 311
of his attributes. Attributes can be clothing, things other than himself. When
he was asked about his clothing, whether he was his clothing, would he have
answered yes?John 1:19
The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,
"Who are you?"
It was the duty of these persons to investigate and ask about these matters,
since they were devoted to god. John also was of the tribe of Levi. They asked
him if he was a prophet, since they wished to learn about it. "Greater than
prophets"^9 and "among those born of women"^10 was prophesied by Isaiah, so
none of the earlier prophets was considered worthy of this honor by god.(6) John 1:25
Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah
or the prophet?
Only Christ and Elijah and the prophets should baptize. The Pharisees asked
the question out of malice, not from a desire to learn.(7) John 1:26
I baptize in water.
John answers those sent by Pharisees not with respect to their question but on
his own terms.(8) John 1:26
Among you stands one you do not know.
This signifies that he is already present, here in the world and among people,
and he is already manifest to everyone.John 1:27
One who will come after me,
whose sandal strap I am unworthy to loosen.
- Matthew 11:10.
- Matthew 11:11.