The Testimony of John the Baptist

1:19 Now49 this was50 John’s51 testimony52 when the Jewish leaders53 sent54 priests and Levites from Jerusalem55 to ask him, “Who are you?”56 1:20 He confessed—he did not deny but confessed—“I am not the Christ!”57 1:21 So they asked him, “Then who are you?58 Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not!”59 “Are you the Prophet?”60 He answered, “No!” 1:22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us61 so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

1:23 John62 said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight63 the way for the Lord,’64 as Isaiah the prophet said.” 1:24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.65)66 1:25 So they asked John,67 “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ,68 nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

1:26 John answered them,69 “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize,70 1:27 who is coming after me. I am not worthy71 to untie the strap72 of his sandal!” 1:28 These things happened in Bethany73 across the Jordan River74 where John was baptizing.

1:29 On the next day John75 saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God76 who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am,77 because he existed before me.’ 1:31 I did not recognize78 him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.”79

1:32 Then80 John testified,81 “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove82 from heaven,83 and it remained on him.84 1:33 And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 1:34 I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”85

1:35 Again the next day John86 was standing there87 with two of his disciples. 1:36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”88 1:37 When John’s89 two disciples heard him say this,90 they followed Jesus.91 1:38 Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, “What do you want?”92 So they said to him, “Rabbi” (which is translated Teacher),93 “where are you staying?” 1:39 Jesus94 answered,95 “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about four o’clock in the afternoon.96