John 3:29-30 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:23-30

The relation between our Lord and his forerunner. Jesus seems to have followed in the footsteps of John, who was still at large, baptizing disciples in the southern borders of Judaea. I. THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE JEWS AND JOHN 'S DISCIPLES . The subject of dispute. "About purifying." It was caused by the competition of the two baptisms, and turned upon the best mode of true purification. 1 . The Jews might ascribe greater efficacy to Jesus ' baptism than to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:25-30

The Bridegroom's friend true to the last. Notice— I. THE DISCIPLES ' COMPLAINT . It is the embodiment of a blind and angry zeal. And. as such: 1 . It is ever disparaging in its language. "He that was with thee beyond Jordan." They address their own master as "Rabbi," but speak of Jesus as "he that was," etc., as if he had no name; and, if he had, it was not worth mentioning compared with their master's. The memory of angry zeal is very shaft, and its respect for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:27-32

(2) The earthly and heavenly commission. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:29

And now the Baptist bethinks him of another remarkable image, with which, as a student of the Old Testament, and being himself "more than a prophet," He was familiar. The tenderness of the imagery had not hitherto, however, comported with the ministry of the vox clamantis. Whereas the New Testament represents the loving kindness and righteousness of the Lord God under the metaphor of a Father ' s love to his prodigal but repenting children, the prophets were often disposed to set forth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:30

He must— by a Divine necessity of things (cf. John 3:7 , John 3:14 ; John 9:4 ; John 10:16 ; John 20:9 ; Revelation 1:1 ), he must— increase ; augment in power and following and great joy. He must win eventually all hearts. His enemies must become the footstool of his feet. His is the beginning of an eternal blessedness. I must decrease; not become annihilated, though through the very completion of the purpose of my calling of God, my scope must, by the nature of the case,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:30

John and Jesus. We have here— I. A MAN PUTTING SELF IN ITS PROPER . PLACE . John is a man ready to say, "I must decrease." If he had not been a man ready to say it, he would never have got the chance of saying it. Ability to speak in this spirit does not spring up all at once. Much in John's position was very tempting to self. It is easily seen how painful it might have been to hear friends coming to say that the crowds once wont to flock round John were now flocking... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:29

He that hath the bride ... - This is an illustration drawn from marriage. The bride belongs to her husband. So the church, the bride of the Messiah, belongs to him. It is to be expected, therefore, and desireD, that the people should flock to him.But the friend of the bridegroom - He whose office it is to attend him on the marriage occasion. This was commonly the nearest friend, and was a high honor.Rejoiceth greatly - Esteems himself highly honored by the proof of friendship.The bridegroom’s... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:30

He must increase - his authority and influence among the people must grow. his doctrine shall continue to spread until it extends through all the earth.I must decrease - “The purpose of my ministry is to point men to him. When that is done my work is done. I came not to form a party of my own, nor to set up a religion of my own; and my teaching must cease when he is fully established, as the light of the morning star fades away and is lost in the beams of the rising sun. This evinced John’s... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:27-29

John 3:27-29. John answered With a humility and integrity agreeable to the rest of his character, A man can receive nothing Neither he, nor I, nor any man; unless it be given him from heaven Whence every good gift cometh, James 1:18; a general truth, very applicable in this case. Different employments are according to the direction of Divine Providence; different endowments according to the distribution of divine grace. We have as necessary and constant a dependance upon the grace of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:30-31

John 3:30-31. He must increase And appear continually more and more glorious, like the growing moon; but I must decrease Must gradually wane and decline, till I disappear: for the end of my ministry is now, in a great measure, answered, and therefore I quickly expect to be dismissed from it. He that cometh from above is above all As if he had said, It is fit he should increase, while I decrease; for he is a person of infinitely greater dignity than I am, possesses far more knowledge of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:23-30

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:25-30

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:27-32

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:29

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:30

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:30

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:29

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:30

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:27-29

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:30-31

Group of Brands