John 1:19-27 And this is the testimony John the Immerser gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” Note: Levites were men who assisted the priests in the Temple service.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁹ And this is the testimony John [the Immerser] gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” [Note: Levites were men who assisted the priests in the Temple service]. ²⁰ Then he declared openly, without denying it, “I am not the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].” ²¹ So, they asked him, “Who then [are you]? Are you Elijah [i.e., returned from the dead]?” But he answered, “[No], I am not.” “[Then], are you the prophet [i.e., Moses. See Deut. 18:15-19]?” they asked. And he answered, “No.” ²² So, they asked him [again], “[Then], who are you? We need to take back an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He replied, “I am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, [urging people to] ‘Make the road for the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said, [Isa. 40:3].” ²⁴ Now those who were sent [i.e., to question John] were Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]. ²⁵ They asked him, “Why do you immerse people then, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet [Moses]?” ²⁶ So, John answered them, saying, “I am immersing people in water, but there is Someone among you whom you do not recognize. ²⁷ He is the One who will follow my ministry; [and] I do not deserve to untie his sandal lace.”