12.12.2020 Gospel John Chapter 1

There was a man sent by God, whose name was John. He came to witness, to witness to the light. He was not the light, but he came to give witness to the light. And this is the witness he gave. The authorities of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask this question, "Who are you?" And he answered, and he did not deny. He said, "I am not the Messiah." Then they said, "Are you Elijah?" And he said, "No, I am not." And they said, "Are you the prophet?" And he said, "No." And they said, "You must answer us. We must have something to bring back to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert. Make straight the way of the Lord as is said in the prophet Isaiah. Then the Pharisees came to him and said, "If you are not the Messiah, and if you are not Elijah, and if you're not the prophet, how is it that you baptize?" And he said, "I baptize with water, but there is one who stands among you, who you do not recognize. He will come after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal."

 

Now all of this occurred in Bethany, across from the river Jordan, where John was baptizing.