John asked this question to compel the people to think about who he was. Alternate translation: "Think about who I am." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])
John was referring to the Messiah, whom they were expecting to come. Alternate translation: "I am not the Messiah" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])