Jesus and John the Baptist

²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized.

²³ John^(A) also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, ²⁴ since John had not yet been thrown into prison.^(B)

²⁵ Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples^(C) and a Jew^[a] about purification.^{(D) 26} So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi,^(E) the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan,^(F) is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”^(G)

²⁷ John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,^(H) but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’^{(I) 29} He who has the bride^(J) is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly^[b] at the groom’s voice. So this joy^(K) of mine is complete. ³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The One from Heaven

³¹ The one who comes from above^(L) is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms.^[c] The one who comes from heaven is above all.^{(M) 32} He testifies^(N) to what he has seen and heard, and yet no one accepts his testimony. ³³ The one who has accepted his testimony has affirmed that God is true.^{(O) 34} For the one whom God sent speaks God’s words, since he^[d] gives the Spirit^(P) without measure. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son^(Q) and has given all things into his hands.^{(R) 36} The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son^[e] will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.^(S)