John 1:31

I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be [publicly] revealed to Israel.”

Luke 1:17

It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”

Isaiah 40:3-5


A voice of one is calling out,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles];
Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

Malachi 3:1

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 4:2-5

But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.

Matthew 3:6

and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

Mark 1:3-5


A voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”

Luke 1:76-80


“And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord (the Messiah) to prepare His ways;

Luke 2:39-42

And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

Luke 3:3-4

And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin;

John 1:7

This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him.

John 1:33

I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

Acts 19:4

Paul said, “John performed a baptism of repentance, continually telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, [to confidently accept and joyfully believe] in Jesus [the Messiah and Savior].”

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Bible References

I knew

John 1:33
I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
Luke 1:80
The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].
Luke 2:39
And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

But

John 1:7
This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him.
Isaiah 40:3

A voice of one is calling out,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles];
Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.
Luke 1:17
It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”

Therefore

Matthew 3:6
and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
Mark 1:3

A voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”
Luke 3:3
And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin;
Acts 19:4
Paul said, “John performed a baptism of repentance, continually telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, [to confidently accept and joyfully believe] in Jesus [the Messiah and Savior].”