John 3:22–30

Jesus and John

²²After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the province of Judea, where he spent some time with them and baptized. ²³John also was baptizing in Aenon, not far from Salim, because there was plenty of water in that place. People were going to him, and he was baptizing them. ^24*(This was before John had been put in prison.)

²⁵Some of John’s disciples began arguing with a Jew^g about the matter of ritual washing. ²⁶So they went to John and said, “Teacher, you remember the man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan, the one you spoke about? Well, he is baptizing now, and everyone is going to him!”

²⁷John answered, “No one can have anything unless God gives it to him. ^28*You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom’s friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete. ³⁰He must become more important while I become less important.”