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This was John’s testimony when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him: “Who are you?”

John acknowledged the truth and refused to deny it. He stated:

“I am not the Messiah.”

They asked him:

“Then who are you? Elijah?”

He answered:

“I am not.”

They said:

“Are you the Prophet?”

And he answered:

“No.”

So they said to him:

“Tell us who you are so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?”

John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah:

“I am the voice of one

crying out in the wilderness:

Make straight the way of the LORD!”

Those who were sent were Pharisees;

and they asked John another question: “Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet?”

John answered:

“I baptize you with water, but among you stands one you do not recognize;

although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”

This took place in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.