Luke 3:15

As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Messiah,

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

You yourselves bear me witness that I said, 'I am not the Messiah,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'

The Jewish leaders therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, 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 therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

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

You yourselves bear me witness that I said, 'I am not the Messiah,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'

He confessed, and did not deny, but he confessed, "I am not the Messiah."