He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen."

 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? 