They said therefore to him, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

 But the Pharisees were puzzled about one thing--what right had John to baptize? If he had been the Messiah, or even Elijah or the prophet, he might have baptized. Isaiah had written: "So shall he sprinkle many nations" ( Isaiah 52:15). Ezekiel had said: "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean" ( Ezekiel 36:25). Zechariah had said: "On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness" ( Zechariah 13:1). But why should John baptize? 