78 Or “know.”
79 John the Baptist, who has been so reluctant to elaborate his own role, now more than willingly gives his testimony about Jesus. For the author, the emphasis is totally on John the Baptist as a witness to Jesus. No attention is given to the Baptist’s call to national repentance and very little to his baptizing. Everything is focused on what he has to say about Jesus: so that he could be revealed to Israel.

In other versions

I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

And I did not know him, but in order that he could be revealed to Israel, because of this I came baptizing with water.”

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

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