Joh 3:30 | RWP | e4.org | Must ( δε ). It has to be (see ). He is to go on growing (present active infinitive αυξανειν ) while I go on decreasing (present passive infinitive ελαττουσθα , from comparative ελαττων , less). These are the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah ( ; ). He went on to imprisonment, suspense, martyrdom, while Jesus grew in popular favour till he had his via dolorosa . "These last words of St. John are the fulness of religious sacrifice and fitly close his work" (Westcott).

‏ John 3:30

Must ( δε ). It has to be (see 3:14). He is to go on growing (present active infinitive αυξανειν ) while I go on decreasing (present passive infinitive ελαττουσθα, from comparative ελαττων, less). These are the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah (Mt 11:2; Lu 7:19). He went on to imprisonment, suspense, martyrdom, while Jesus grew in popular favour till he had his via dolorosa. "These last words of St. John are the fulness of religious sacrifice and fitly close his work" (Westcott).