Genesis 3:15 promises a deliverer who crushes evil — the protoevangelium. John asks if Jesus is that promised one.

Genesis 22:18 promises blessing to all nations through Abraham's seed. John asks if Jesus is that seed.

Genesis 49:10 predicts the coming of Shiloh, the ruler from Judah. John asks if Jesus is that expected one.

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 prophesies a prophet like Moses. John asks if Jesus is that prophet.

Jeremiah 23:5 foretells a righteous Branch from David, a direct messianic prophecy about the coming king.

Jeremiah 23:6 names the coming king 'The LORD is our righteousness,' directly relevant to identifying the expected one.

Daniel 9:24-26 gives a timeline for the coming Anointed One, addressing the expectation behind John's question.

Micah 5:2 predicts the Messiah's birthplace and eternal origin, directly answering 'the one to come'.

Zechariah 9:9 describes the humble king on a donkey, a specific prophecy Jesus fulfills.

Malachi 3:1-3 prophesies the Lord's coming after a messenger — John asks if Jesus is that Lord.

Malachi 4:2 foretells the 'sun of righteousness' rising — the coming Messiah John inquires about.

In John 4:25, the Samaritan woman expects the coming Messiah — the same expectation behind John's question.

John 11:27 records Martha's confession that Jesus is the Christ, the one who was to come — answering John's query.