Joh 3:25-30 | RWP | e4.org | A questioning ( ζητησις ). Old word from ζητεω . See for the word where also ζητημα (question) occurs. Ζητησις (process of inquiry) means a meticulous dispute ( ). With a Jew ( μετα Ιουδαιου ). So correct text, not Ιουδαιων (Jews). Probably some Jew resented John's baptism of Jesus as implying impurity or that they were like Gentiles (cf. proselyte baptism). About purifying ( περ καθαρισμου ). See for the word. The committee from the Sanhedrin had challenged John's right to baptize ( ). The Jews had various kinds of baptisms or dippings ( ), "baptisms of cups and pots and brazen vessels" ( ). The disciples of John came to him with the dispute (the first known baptismal controversy, on the meaning of the ceremony) and with a complaint.

‏ John 3:25-30

A questioning ( ζητησις ). Old word from ζητεω. See Ac 15:2 for the word where also ζητημα (question) occurs. Ζητησις (process of inquiry) means a meticulous dispute (1Ti 6:4).

With a Jew ( μετα Ιουδαιου ). So correct text, not Ιουδαιων (Jews). Probably some Jew resented John's baptism of Jesus as implying impurity or that they were like Gentiles (cf. proselyte baptism).

About purifying ( περ καθαρισμου ). See 2:6 for the word. The committee from the Sanhedrin had challenged John's right to baptize (1:25). The Jews had various kinds of baptisms or dippings (Heb 6:2), "baptisms of cups and pots and brazen vessels" (Mr 6:4). The disciples of John came to him with the dispute (the first known baptismal controversy, on the meaning of the ceremony) and with a complaint.

Rabbi ( Ραββε ). Greeting John just like Jesus (1:38; 3:2).

Beyond Jordan ( περαν του Ιορδανου ). Evident reference to John's witness to Jesus told in 1:29-34.

To whom thou hast borne witness ( ω συ μεμαρτυρηκας ). Note avoidance of calling the name of Jesus. Perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω so common in John (1:7, etc.). These disciples of John are clearly jealous of Jesus as a rival of John and they distinctly blame John for his endorsement of one who is already eclipsing him in popularity.

The same baptizeth ( ουτος βαπτιζε ). "This one is baptizing." Not personally (4:2), as John did, but through his six disciples.

And all men come to him ( κα παντες ερχοντα προς αυτον ). Linear present middle indicative, "are coming." The sight of the growing crowds with Jesus and the dwindling crowds with John stirred John's followers to keenest jealousy. What a life-like picture of ministerial jealousy in all ages.

Except it have been given him from heaven ( εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του ουρανου ). See the same idiom in Joh 6:65 (cf. 19:11). Condition of third class, undetermined with prospect of determination, εαν μη with the periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of διδωμ. The perfect tense is rare in the subjunctive and an exact rendering into English is awkward, "unless it be granted him from heaven." See 1Co 4:7 where Paul says the same thing.

I said ( ειπον ). As in 1:20, 23. He had always put Jesus ahead of him as the Messiah (1:15).

Before him ( εμπροσθεν εκεινου ). "Before that one" (Jesus) as his forerunner simply.

I am sent ( απεσταλμενος ειμ ). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of αποστελλω.

The bridegroom ( νυμφιος ). Predicate nominative without article. Both νυμφη (bride) and νυμφιος are old and common words. Jesus will use this metaphor of himself as the Bridegroom (Mr 2:19) and Paul develops it (2Co 11:2; Eph 5:23-32) and so in Revelation (19:7; 21:2). John is only like the paranymph ( παρανυμφιος ) or "the friend of the bridegroom." His office is to bring groom and bride together. So he stands expectant ( εστηκως, second perfect active participle of ιστημ ) and listens ( ακουων, present active participle of ακουω ) with joy ( rejoiceth greatly, χαρα χαιρε, "with joy rejoices") to the music of the bridegroom's voice.

This my joy therefore is fulfilled ( αυτη ουν η χαρα πεπληρωτα ). Perfect passive indicative of πληροω, stands filled like a cup to the brim with joy.

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).