The Importance of John the Baptist

The Jews of Jerusalem had actually done an investigation early on in John's ministry to see whether or not he was from God. So why ask this question? Why would Jesus come up with this question just to stump them and show to the crowd that these teachers are really stupid and not worth following? I don't think it was quite that simple. But do you remember how Jesus began his public ministry three years earlier? It was by John the Baptist baptizing him. And when John baptized Jesus you can read about back in Luke 3, the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove  and a voice came from heaven, you are my beloved son with you I am well pleased