John 1:19-28 ▼

19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.”

21 And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

24 And the messengers had been sent from the Pharisees.

25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

27 It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.”

28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.