The narrative portion of John’s Gospel begins by referring yet a third time to the message of John the Baptist (cf. vv. 6–8, 15–16). The difference between this section and the references in the prologue is that attention now focuses on a particular testimony of John the Baptist given on a particular occasion when the Jewish authorities, later designated more precisely as Pharisees (v. 24), sent a delegation of priests and Levites from Jerusalem to question him. This occasion stretches out to at least a week. By the use of the phrase, the next day (vv. 29, 35, 43), and “on the third day” (2:1), the writer presents a six-day sequence followed by an indefinite “few days” (2:12). The purpose is to highlight a memorable period at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Day One consists of John the B…