King James Bible
"Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him."
John the Baptist appeals to his own disciples' memory, reminding them they heard him clearly state his role. This emphatic opening counters any rivalry between John's and Jesus' ministries by citing the witnesses' own experience. John explicitly denies being the Messiah, the anointed deliverer Israel awaited. This declaration echoes his earlier testimony to the Jewish leaders (John 1:20), maintaining consistent humility about his identity. John defines his purpose as the forerunner who prepares the way for the Messiah. The passive voice ('am sent') emphasizes divine commissioning, positioning John as herald rather than rival to Jesus.