John 1:15-23

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me^(A) ranks ahead of me,^(B) because he existed before me.’”)^{(C) 16} Indeed, we have all received grace^(D) upon^[a] grace from his fullness, ¹⁷ for the law was given through Moses;^(E) grace and truth^(F) came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. The one and only^(G) Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s^(H) side^[b]—he has revealed him.^(I)

John the Baptist’s Testimony

¹⁹ This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem^(J) sent priests^(K) and Levites^(L) to ask him, “Who are you?”

²⁰ He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”^(M)

²¹ “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” ^(N)

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?” ^(O)

“No,” he answered.

²² “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

²³ He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord^[c](P)—just as Isaiah^(Q) the prophet said.”