John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and (A)was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for (B)John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over (C)purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, (D)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, (E)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and (F)all are going to him.” 27 John answered, (G)“A person cannot receive even one thing (H)unless it is given him (I)from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, (J)‘I am not the Christ, but (K)I have been sent before him.’ 29 (L)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. (M)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, (N)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 (O)He must increase, but I must decrease.”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. John 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36

John the Baptist’s Last Testimony

22 After these things Jesus and His (A)disciples came into the land of Judea; and there He was spending time with them and (B)baptizing. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized— 24 for (C)John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then a matter of dispute developed on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about [a](D)purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “(E)Rabbi, He who was with you (F)beyond the Jordan, to whom you (G)have testified—behold, He is baptizing and all the people are coming to Him.” 27 John replied, “(H)A person can receive not even one thing unless it (I)has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves [b]are my witnesses that I said, ‘(J)I am not the [c]Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is (K)the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So this (L)joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must [d]increase, but I must [e]decrease.

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Footnotes

  1. John 3:25 I.e., ceremonial washing
  2. John 3:28 Lit testify for me
  3. John 3:28 I.e., Messiah
  4. John 3:30 Or become greater
  5. John 3:30 Or become less important

John Testifies Again About Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(A) 23 Now John(B) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(C) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(D) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(E) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(F) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(G) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(H) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(I) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.