The Baptist had been preaching and baptizing on the east side of the river Jordan (Mark 1:5) when, according to this gospel alone, he was questioned directly by representatives of the Jewish religious leaders as to whether he was either the Messiah, or Elijah returned (Malachi 4:5) or the prophet like Moses whose coming as the spokesman of God was prophesied (Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18). The Baptist replied that he was none of these (1:20-21) and then described himself by quoting from Isaiah 40:3, identifying himself as God's messenger who brought the news of the Lord's coming. Isaiah 40:3 is also quoted in Mark 1:2-3, Matthew 3:3 and Luke 3:4, so it is an important text in the four gospels. John did not give a direct answer to the question about why he was baptizing people (1 :24) but witnessed that amongst those present there was one before whom he was totally insignificant (1 :24). The Jewish authorities did not recognize this great one because they were in spiritual darkness (1:26 and 10). John's reference to baptizing with water provides a contrast with 1:33, where he says that the one who has come will baptize with the Holy Spirit.