Luke 3:15

While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ,

Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but rather, 'I have been sent before him.'

The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but rather, 'I have been sent before him.'

He confessed -- he did not deny but confessed -- "I am not the Christ!"