{As John was fulfilling his course} (h(9373) epl(8872)ou I(9361)n(8873)
ton dromon). Imperfect active of pl(8872)o(935c), describing his vivid
ministry without defining the precise period when John asked the
question. Paul uses this word dromos (course) of his own race
( Ac 20:24 2Ti 4:7 ). {What suppose ye that I am?} (Ti eme
huponoeite einai?) Note i (neuter), not ina (masculine),
{what} not {who}, character, not identity. It is indirect
discourse (the infinitive einai and the accusative of general
reference). {Huponoe(937d) (hupo, noe(935c)) is to think secretly, to
suspect, to conjecture. {I am not he} (ouk eimi eg(935c)). These
precise words are not given in the Gospels, but the idea is the
same as the disclaimers by the Baptist in Joh 1:19-27 (cf. also
Mt 3:11 Mr 1:7 Lu 3:16 ). Paul had a true grasp of the message
of the Baptist. He uses the very form l(9673)ai (first aorist
active infinitive of lu(935c)) found in Mr 1:7 Lu 3:16 and the
word for shoes (hupod(886d)a, singular) in all three. His quotation
is remarkably true to the words in the Synoptic Gospels. How did
Paul get hold of the words of the Baptist so clearly?
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