The religious leaders ask John the same question three times. “Who are you?” They say it over and over again. It’s clear that the priests and Levites sent by Jewish rulers know that there is something special about John’s message even if they are skeptical of it.

The mystery is part of the story, and though the priests and Levites ask John the same question three times, he never really answers them. He first responds by telling them who he is not: “I’m not the Christ” (ceb). It’s interesting to note that the Gospel writer adds that John “didn’t deny but confessed” (ceb) that he is not the Christ. John does not want there to be any confusion. He knows he is not the Christ, and he wants everyone to know that he should not be mistaken for the Christ.

The priests and Levites ask him again. They ask him whether he is Elijah. John says no. They ask him whether he is a prophet. John says no. Finally, they press him even harder. They have to receive an answer for the people who have sent them.

In John’s response we discover that the priests and Levites have been asking the wrong question all along. It does not matter who John is because John is the messenger preparing the way for the one who is to come. John is the herald. He is not the king. John then doubles down when responding to the question about baptism. If we read further, we learn that even John does not yet know who Jesus is, but he does know that “someone greater” is coming and that he, John, is not even worthy to perform the lowest of tasks for this mysterious person. But we know it is Jesus. We know God in the flesh is about to arrive and the world will change forever.