Final answer:
The Jews sent priests and Levites to ask John the Baptist about his identity and mission, questioning whether he was the Messiah. The Jews had them ask John questions regarding his identity and his role as a preacher and baptizer. They wanted to understand if John was claiming to be the messiah or a prophet, and if his teachings aligned with the traditional Jewish beliefs and laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, 'what did the Jews have the priests and Levites ask John?', refers to an event in the New Testament of the Bible where Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites to question John the Baptist about his identity and mission. This is a religious question rooted in the text of the New Testament, within the context of Christianity and its historical roots in Judaism. Jewish leaders at the time were seeking to understand if John was the promised Messiah, the prophet Elijah, or another prophet. This inquiry by religious leaders reflects the anticipation and diverse expectations within Judaism for a Messiah.