John 1:26-33

John answered them, “I baptize [only] in water, but among you there stands One whom you do not recognize and of whom you know nothing. [Mal 3:1] It is He [the preeminent One] who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie [even as His slave].” These things occurred in Bethany across the Jordan [at the Jordan River crossing], where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [Ex 12:3; Is 53:7] This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be [publicly] revealed to Israel.” John gave [further] evidence [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. [Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:22, 23] I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’