"We can not tell." This answer was a falsehood. But the priests saw the position they were in, and falsified in order to screen themselves. John the Baptist had come bearing witness of the One whose authority they were now questioning. He had pointed Him out, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. He had baptized Him, and after the baptism, as Christ was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God like a dove rested upon Him, while a voice from heaven was heard saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:17.

"Vi ved det ikke." Dette svar var en usandhed. Men præsterne var klar over at de var i knibe, og løj for at komme ud af forlegenheden. Johannes Døber var kommet for at vidne om ham, hvis magt og myndighed de nu var ved at stille i tvivl. Han havde peget på ham og sagt: "Se Guds lam, som bærer verdens synd!" Han havde døbt ham, og da Jesus bad efter dåben, åbnedes Himlene, og Guds Ånd dalede ned som en due over ham, og man hørte en røst fra Himmelen, der sagde: "Denne er min Søn, den elskede; i ham har jeg velbehag."