22
Exasperated, they said, "Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something - anything! - about yourself."
23
"I'm thunder in the desert: 'Make the road straight for God!' I'm doing what the prophet Isaiah preached."
24
Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party.
25
Now they had a question of their own: "If you're neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?"
26
John answered, "I only baptize using water. A person you don't recognize has taken his stand in your midst.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.