John 1:19-24

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

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!^(A)

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.^(B)

²⁴ The messengers had been sent from the Pharisees.