Mat 3:14 | NET2full | STEP | But John tried to prevent him , saying , “ I need to be baptized by you , and yet you come to me ?”

‏ Matthew 3:14

14 But John ^{▼▼tc ‡ The earliest mss (א* B sa) lack the name of John here (“but he tried to prevent him,” instead of “but John tried to prevent him”). It is, however, clearly implied (and is thus supplied in translation). Although the longer reading has excellent support (P96 א1 C Ds L W Γ Δ 0233 0250 ƒ1, 13 33 565 579 700 1241 1424 Maj lat[t] sy mae bo), it looks to be a motivated and predictable reading. Nevertheless, in light of the strong external support for “John,” it is only slightly more likely that the autographic wording of this verse lacked his name.} tried to prevent ^{▼▼tn The imperfect verb has been translated conatively.} him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”