John 3:19-28

English Standard Version

^19 (A)And this is the judgment: ^(B)the light has come into the world, and ^(C)people loved the darkness rather than the light because ^(D)their works were evil. ^20 (E)For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, ^(F)lest his works should be exposed. ²¹ But whoever ^(G)does what is true ^(H)comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

²² After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and ^(I)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 ^(J)John had not yet been put in prison).

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over ^(K)purification. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, ^(L)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, ^(M)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and ^(N)all are going to him.” ²⁷ John answered, ^(O)“A person cannot receive even one thing ^(P)unless it is given him ^(Q)from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(R)‘I am not the Christ, but ^(S)I have been sent before him.’