John 3:28-29

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 3:28

Ye yourselves (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 for similar emphatic pronoun) bear me witness —you will do it readily, if I challenge you, for my testimonies were frequent and varied (in fact, the synoptists and the fourth evangelist are equally explicit here)— that I said, I am not the Messiah ( John 1:20 ; Matthew 3:11 , Matthew 3:12 ; Luke 3:15-17 ). This announcement, made with great publicity at Bethany, was the basis of the present remonstrance; and the words which follow... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:28

Bear me witness - You remember that at first I told you I was not the Messiah. As he had been “witness” to Jesus - as he came for no other end but to point him out to the Jews, they ought not to suppose that he was his superior. It was but reasonable to expect that Christ himself would be more successful than his forerunner. “I came, not to form a separate party, a special sect, but to prepare the way that he might be more successful, and that the people might be ready for his coming, and that... 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

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

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 3:28

the Christ = the Messiah. App-98 . sent . App-174 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:29

the friend , &c. He played a very important part in the wedding ceremonies. rejoiceth greatly . Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Greek. chara chairei = joyeth with joy. because of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 3:2 . read more

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