King James Bible
"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?"
The Gospel writer introduces John the Baptist's formal testimony, marking a shift from the prologue to historical narrative. 'Record' (Greek: martyria) establishes John as a witness whose role is to testify about Christ's identity. The religious authorities dispatch an official delegation to investigate John's ministry, indicating his influence had reached the highest levels of Jewish leadership. Priests and Levites, responsible for temple worship and teaching, would be qualified to assess claims of religious significance. Their direct question reveals the messianic expectations stirring in first-century Judaism, as they wonder if John might be the promised deliverer. This interrogation initiates a series of denials where John will clarify he is not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet.