New TestamentJohnThe Mission of John the Baptist · 1:19–281:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?1:20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.1:22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.1:24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
