1:19 Now 1 this was 2 John’s 3 testimony 4 when the Jewish leaders 5 sent 6 priests and Levites from Jerusalem 7 to ask him, “Who are you?” 8 1:20 He confessed – he did not deny but confessed – “I am not the Christ!” 9 1:21 So they asked him, “Then who are you? 10 Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not!” 11 “Are you the Prophet?” 12 He answered, “No!” 1:22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us 13 so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
1:23 John 14 said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight 15 the way for the Lord,’ 16 as Isaiah the prophet said.” 1:24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 17 ) 18 1:25 So they asked John, 19 “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, 20 nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
1:26 John answered them, 21 “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, 22 1:27 who is coming after me. I am not worthy 23 to untie the strap 24 of his sandal!” 1:28 These things happened in Bethany 25 across the Jordan River 26 where John was baptizing.