John 3:29-31
New Catholic Bible
29 “It is the bridegroom who has the bride,
but the friend of the bridegroom
who stands by and listens for him
rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
This joy of mine
is complete.
30 He must increase;
I must decrease.
He Who Comes from Above[a]
31 “The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly
and speaks of earthly things.
The one who comes from heaven is above all.
Footnotes
- John 3:31 The evangelist continues his reflection on the mystery of Christ. Jesus is the Son who receives from his Father the fullness of life. He has the mission to reveal it and communicate it to those who believe in him, by giving them the Spirit with whom he himself is filled (v. 34). In rich and symbolic words, he is to show how much the believer’s life is a gift of God and a newness of existence beyond anything that is in the earthly power of people.
John 3:29-31
King James Version
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
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John 3:29-31
New King James Version
29 (A)He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but (B)the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 (C)He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 (D)He who comes from above (E)is above all; (F)he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. (G)He who comes from heaven is above all.
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John 3:29-31
English Standard Version
29 (A)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. (B)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, (C)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 (D)He must increase, but I must decrease.”[a]
31 (E)He who comes from above (F)is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and (G)speaks in an earthly way. (H)He who comes from heaven (I)is above all.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- John 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
