15. John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”
16. From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18. No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19. This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20. He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21. They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22. They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back 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 Isaiah the prophet said.”
24. The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.