John 1:17-21

New International Version

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses;^(A) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.^{(B) 18} No one has ever seen God,^(C) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[a](D) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹ Now this was John’s^(E) testimony when the Jewish leaders^[b](F) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”^(G)

²¹ They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”^(H)

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”^(I)

He answered, “No.”