There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. . . .
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Ping.
Sir, I respectfully submit the following for your consideration. The Bible speaks of five “Johns.” The Gospel of John was written by that one whom Jesus loved. The one who according to the directive of Jesus took Mary into his care. John the Baptist is not introduced until verse 15 of this first chapter. John the Baptist came to prepare the way for LORD, to prepare the people of Israel to become identified with Jesus. John the Baptist did not come to produce believers in the LORD Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John was written so that men might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and by believing have life through His name.