17
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
19
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20
He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21
And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."
22
Then they said to him, "Who are you, 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 in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord," ' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24
Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.
25
And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26
John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.
27
It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."