John 1:16-21

John 1:16-21. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered; No.

As they meant, "Art thou, literally, the prophet Elijah risen from the dead?

"John said," "I am not." "Art thou that prophet of who Moses foretold?"

"And he answered, No." John gave short, sharp answers to these cavilers.

He was not a man of dainty words and polished periods, especially in dealing with ouch people as they were.