19 And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? 20 He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it, but acknowledged, I am not the Christ! 21 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 crying aloud in the wilderness [the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out, the path of the Lord], as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 The messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? 26 John answered them, I [only] baptize 1 in (with) water. Among you there stands One Whom you do not recognize and with Whom you are not acquainted and of Whom you know nothing. 27 It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things occurred in Bethany (Bethabara) across the Jordan [ 2 at the Jordan crossing], where John was then baptizing.