John 1:15, 27, 30

John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ”

It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’