John 3:22–36

Jesus and John the Baptist

22 After this, Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside, where He spent time with them and baptized. 23 John v also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison. w

25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples x and a Jew y about purification. z 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, a the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, b is baptizing—and everyone is flocking to Him.” c

27 John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the * Messiah, d but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’ e 29 He who has the bride f is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly g at the groom’s voice. So this joy h of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The One from Heaven

31 The One who comes from above i is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. j The One who comes from heaven is above all. k 32 He testifies l to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true. m 34 For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He n gives the Spirit o without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son p and has given all things into His hands. q 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. r