GINOLJC,
good question on John's response to those sent to inquire of as the who he was. may I add this.
John when asked, if he was Elijah, the answer was NO, that's plain and clear. but Jesus said coming off the mount said, if they can accept it Elijah have already come. and they took his saying as to be John the Baptist, and Jesus didn't correct them. so is John, Elijah?, not in flesh and blood. but in spirit, YES. well lets see. John 1:19 "And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?, (notice they asked, "Who". verse 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No". did you see it, or rather hear it. I notice it after some re-reading. what John said, or more what he did not say, that caught my attention. Who vs What. if one pick it up. John 1:21 "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No". I hoped you saw it, or rather heard it. well if you didn't let me point it out for you. John 1:21 "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No". here is the revelation, Notice "he" SAID, I.m going to highlight it for one to see. "I AM", not. but "he" ANSWERD no.
who, "SAID", "not" and who, "ANSWERED". listen, so when, they, the priests and Levites, ASKED, "Art thou Elias?". the Holy Spirit, in John, ANSWERED. Oh yes the Holy Spirit spoke by John, and I have scripture to back up what I'm saying, Luke 12:11 "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magisrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say". Glory to GOD.
so when they ask Who art thou. the Holy Spirit answered, I AM, NOT.
be blessed.