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This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants 1 from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?”
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He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
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“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” 2
“No.”
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“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
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John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord ’s coming!’” 3
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Then the Pharisees who had been sent
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asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
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John told them, “I baptize with 4 water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.
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Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
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This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.