Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:20

20 And he confessed , and denied not ; but confessed , I am not the Christ .

He being asked openly and plainly, professed, and

did not dissemble nor halt in his Speech. These Negatives are in Scripture often added to affirmatives, to exclude all Exceptions. Iob 5.17. Psal. 40.10, 11, 12.

He did not tell them once so, but again and again, because many were musing about it, Luke 3 15.

I am not that great Messiah which God hath promised you, and in the expectation of whom you live, Luk. 2.26, 38. & 19.11. Ioh. 4.25. The Diligence we shall constantly observe in the Servants of God in Holy Writ, to avoid the arrogating of that Honour to themselves, which is due onely to God and Christ; and this, together with Iohn's steadiness and plainness, doth very well become all Professors, but the Ministers of the Gospel especially.

Marginal references: Chap. 3.28. Acts 13.25.