The Identity of John the Baptist

19 This was the testimony of John when the Jews [fn]sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are yoʋ?” 20 He did not refuse to answer, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” 21 So they asked him, “What then? Are yoʋ Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are yoʋ the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are yoʋ? Tell us so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do yoʋ say about yoʋrself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now [fn]those who had been sent were from the Pharisees.) 25 Then they asked him, “Why then do yoʋ baptize if yoʋ are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands someone you do not [fn]know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, [fn]who ranks ahead of me, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in [fn]Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.