John 3:26

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:26

They (the disciples of John) came to John, and said to him, Rabbi —the title of deep respect (verse 2), which stood in Jewish reverence high above all civil and military rank, and was here yielded in courtesy to the heroic leader— he who was with thee, apparently in entire mutual understanding with thee, receiving baptism at thy hands, and thus admitting thy right to baptize the people of God—"with thee" as we are "with thee"— beyond Jordan —at Bethany (Bethabara), at a better... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:26

Came unto John - Came to him with their complaint; envious and jealous at the success of Jesus, and evidently irritated from the discussion, as if their master was about to lose his popularity.Rabbi - Master. See the notes at Matthew 23:7. Acknowledging him as their master and teacher.That was with thee - Who was baptized by thee.Thou barest witness - See John 1:29-35.All men come to him - This was the source of their difficulty. It was that Jesus was gaining popularity; that the people flocked... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:25-26

John 3:25-26. Then there arose a question Or a dispute; between some of John’s disciples and the Jews Or rather, a certain Jew: for, “though the common editions read Jews, the greater number of MSS., among which are some of the most valuable, some ancient expositors also, and critics read, a Jew, in the singular; with which agrees both the Syriac versions. To which may be added some of our best modern critics, as Grotius, Cocceius, Hammond, Mill, and Wetstein.” Campbell. About... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:22-36

22. John the Baptist’s work complete (John 3:22-36)While Jesus and his disciples were preaching and baptizing in Judea, John the Baptist was spending the closing days of his ministry preaching and baptizing further north, in the region of the Jordan Valley (John 3:22-24). Some of John’s disciples were becoming jealous of Jesus’ popularity, and John had to rebuke them. He reminded them that his work was only to prepare the way for Jesus. That work was now finished. John was like the friend of a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:26

barest witness = hast borne witness. See note on John 1:7 . behold . Greek ide. App-133 . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . all. This was the gravamen. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:26

And they came unto John and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.Jealousy was clearly the motivation of this question, shedding light upon the extensive popularity of Jesus at that time, and suggesting the great success of our Lord's efforts in baptizing multitudes. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:26

26. Rabbi, &c.—"Master, this man tells us that He to whom thou barest such generous witness beyond Jordan is requiting thy generosity by drawing all the people away to Himself. At this rate, thou shalt soon have no disciples at all." The reply to this is one of the noblest and most affecting utterances that ever came from the lips of man. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:13-36

C. Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem 2:13-3:36John is the only evangelist who recorded this trip to Jerusalem and the things that happened then."In distinction from the Synoptics, John’s record focuses mostly on events in Jesus’ life that took place in Jerusalem, and especially at the Passover feasts." [Note: Bailey, p. 164.] Josephus indicated that as many as three million Jews occupied Jerusalem during the Passover feasts. [Note: Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 6:9:3; cf. 2:14:3.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:22-30

4. John the Baptist’s reaction to Jesus’ ministry 3:22-30The writer next noted the parallel ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus in Judea. John the Baptist readily confessed Jesus’ superiority to him even though they were both doing the same things. This was further testimony to Jesus’ identity. This section constitutes the very core of the Apostle John’s testimony to Jesus’ identity in Jesus’ early ministry (chs. 2-4). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:26

One of the contemporary baptisms was the one Jesus and His disciples were conducting. John’s disciples mentioned it to John implying that they wanted him to comment on it. They had particular concern that so many people were going to Jesus for baptism. John’s reply (John 3:27-30) suggests that they felt jealous of Jesus’ popularity. They had failed to grasp the purpose of John’s ministry."It is interesting to note that four of the greatest men in the Bible faced this problem of comparison and... read more

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