21 The earliest (א* B sa) lack the name of John here (“but he tried to prevent him,” instead of “but John tried to prevent him”). It is, however, clearly implied (and is thus supplied in translation). Although the longer reading has excellent support (𝔓96 א1 C Ds L W 0233 0250 f1, 13 33 𝔐 lat[t] sy mae bo), it looks to be a motivated and predictable reading: Scribes apparently could not resist adding this clarification.
22 The imperfect verb has been translated conatively.

In other versions

John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

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