John 1:19-51 (Good News Translation) 19The Jewish authorities in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to John to ask him, Who are you? 20John did not refuse to answer, but spoke out openly and clearly, saying: I am not the Messiah. 21Who are you, then? they asked. Are you Elijah? No, I am not, John answered. Are you the Prophet? they asked. No, he replied. 22Then tell us who you are, they said. We have to take an answer back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself 23John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: I am the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel! 24The messengers, who had been sent by the Pharisees, 25then asked John, If you are not the Messiah nor Elijah nor the Prophet, why do you baptize? ...