26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
26 "I baptize with
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,
26 John answered, "I only baptize using water. A person you don't recognize has taken his stand in your midst.
26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.
26 John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 1:26
Commentary on John 1:19-28
(Read John 1:19-28)
John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service.