(see 7:16, 19; 12:34; 13:30; 23:33), while 8:10–12 reinforces John’s warning against relying on Jewish racial origin alone. John was thus not just a curtain-raiser for the coming of Jesus; he was already launching the mission which Jesus would develop. (cf. 11:7–19; 21:23–32 for further indications of this close connection.) John was, however, only the forerunner, as the quotation from Is. 40:3 (v 3) indicates and as his own words about the coming one who is more powerful confirm. The contrast between