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18 The much-loved Son is beside the Father. No man has ever seen God. But Christ has made God known to us.

19 The Jews sent their religious leaders and men from the family group of Levi to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He told them without holding back any words, “I am not the Christ!”

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18 No one has ever seen God,(A) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a](B) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s(C) testimony when the Jewish leaders[b](D) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
  2. John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.