John 1:24-28

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:24-28

Well, the priests and Levites ask him "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?".  It seems as if his baptizing of people was a sign that he was either the Christ, Elijah or the Prophet.  Since he is not claiming to be any of those, they can think of no other reason for why he'd be doing this.

What is John the Baptist's answer?  I find it strange because he does not directly answer the question.  He doesn't say "I am baptizing because...".  Instead, he answers with much humility by downplaying himself and his role.  He contrasts himself to Jesus and highlights Jesus instead of himself.  Jesus is obviously the one he is referring to when he talks about the one "among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie".

Though he does not directly answer the question, I think he actually does answer the question in a way.  He points away from himself and towards Jesus.  This is his whole ministry and thus it is also the reason why he is baptizing.  He does it all to prepare the way for and point toward the one who is to come after, which is Jesus.

I was reading one person point out how John the Baptist had many opportunities to highlight himself and say how great he was.  However, as you may already know, John does not take advantage of these opportunities to brag about himself.  Instead, he always makes much of Jesus and less of himself.  As John himself said, "He must increase, but I must decrease".