King James Bible
"And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No."
Jewish religious authorities interrogate John the Baptist about his identity, specifically asking if he is Elijah. Jewish expectation held that Elijah would return before the Messiah's arrival (Malachi 4:5), making this a crucial messianic question. John flatly denies being Elijah himself, distinguishing his person from the Old Testament prophet. While Jesus later identifies John as fulfilling Elijah's role (Matthew 11:14), John rejects claiming the prophet's actual identity. The questioners reference 'the prophet' promised by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15, another messianic figure distinct from both Elijah and the Messiah. John's denial establishes that he fills none of these expected eschatological roles, pointing instead beyond himself.