King James Bible
"And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ."
The emphatic repetition underscores John the Baptist's unwavering honesty when questioned by Jewish authorities about his identity. The double statement (positive and negative) was a Hebrew literary device emphasizing the completeness and sincerity of his testimony. John definitively rejects any messianic claims about himself, despite his prominent ministry drawing crowds. His clear denial redirects attention away from himself and prepares the way for identifying Jesus as the true Messiah, fulfilling his role as forerunner.