KJV ORIGINAL
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But John tried to stop him, saying, 'Wait, I'm the one who needs to be baptized by you, why are you coming to me?'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Even John knew Jesus was on a completely different level.
📚 Historical Context
In the first century, John the Baptist was a prophet who preached repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River as a way to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah. When Jesus approached him for baptism, John hesitated because he recognized Jesus as the sinless one who was greater than himself and didn't need such a ritual. This event marks the start of Jesus' public ministry and underscores John's role as the forerunner announced in the Old Testament prophecies.
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