Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 1:22-23

"They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet." — John 1:22-23 (ASV)

Then said they unto him, who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice—

Not "the Word."—Christ is that, but John was "the voice."