Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What report do John the Baptist’s disciples bring to him? See John 3:25-26 (printed below) What is their concern?
Now an argument arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of purification rites. (26) So they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one about whom you testified, he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him. (John 3:25-26)
John’s disciples report to him that Jesus, by means of His disciples (note John 4:1-2), was also carrying on a ministry of baptism. Furthermore, “everyone is coming to him.” John’s disciples are concerned that Jesus is gaining a larger following than John. They are unaware of who Jesus truly is; they merely identify Him as “that man” who was with John on the other side of the Jordan River. John’s disciples display a misguided zeal for John, failing to appreciate that his whole ministry was to prepare men for the Messiah, not to gather men around himself.
2. How does John respond to the concern expressed by his disciples? See John 3:28-30 (printed below) Note, also, John 1:19-23 (printed below)
You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Christ; rather, I have been sent ahead of him. (29) The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, greatly rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That is my joy, and it is now fulfilled. (30) He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:28-30)
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, Who are you? (20) He admitted and did not deny; indeed, he admitted, I am not the Christ. (21) So they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he replied, I am not. Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No. (22) Therefore they said to him, Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? (23) He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make the way straight for the Lord, just as Isaiah the prophet foretold. (John 1:19-23)
John reminds his disciples of his own testimony, namely, that he is not the Christ (i.e.; the promised Messiah). On the contrary, his God-given calling was to go before the Messiah, preparing the people for Him and introducing Him to the nation of Israel. John compares himself to the friend of the bridegroom: the bride does not belong to him, she belongs to the bridegroom. When the bridegroom and his bride are brought together, it causes the friend of the bridegroom to rejoice.
3. How does John describe Jesus’ identity in verse 31 (printed below?)
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and he speaks of the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. (John 3:31)
Referring to Jesus, John declares, “The one who comes from above is above all…The one who comes from heaven is above all” (verse 31). By the grace of God, John had come to know and appreciate the true identity of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ really is the One who “came from above” (He is God); and as such, “he is above all” (i.e.; all the pre-eminence rightfully belongs to Him). In his day, John the Baptist recognized this and responded accordingly, testifying of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
4. How did John view himself in relation to Jesus? See John 3:29 (printed below); note, also, John 1:15 (printed below)
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, greatly rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That is my joy, and it is now fulfilled. (John 3:29)
John bears testimony about him, crying out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me has surpassed me; because he was before me. (John 1:15)
In verse 29 John compares himself to the best man at a wedding and he views Christ in the role of the bridegroom: the best man’s duty is to serve the bridegroom. As his testimony recorded in John 1:15 indicates, John was well aware of the fact that, although his ministry preceded Jesus in point of time, Christ and His ministry are first with regard to importance. In his Commentary, The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris, observes, John’s testimony is a noteworthy exception to the norm of his day, “for in antiquity it was widely held that chronological priority meant superiority.” In other words, the normal pattern was that whoever came after a teacher was inferior to that teacher and subservient to him.
5. How does John respond to the fact that “everyone is coming to Jesus?” See John 3:29b (printed below)
The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, greatly rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That is my joy, and it is now fulfilled. (John 3:29b)
When the friend of the bridegroom hears the bridegroom approaching and witnesses the bridegroom being joined to his bride, it causes him to greatly rejoice. In seeing Christ gain the pre-eminence that is rightfully His, John the Baptist describes himself as being filled with joy. John’s sense of joy is well expressed by the hymnwriter, Frances R. Havergal, as she writes in anticipation of Christ’s coming in glory: “O the joy to see You reigning, You, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Your Name confessing, Worship, honor, glory, blessing Brought to You with glad accord; You, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned; Unto earth’s remotest end Glorified, adored, and owned.”
