²⁵An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^l ²⁶They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^m that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testifiedⁿ about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’^o ²⁹The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^p The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.^q ³⁰He must become greater; I must become less.”^h

³¹The one who comes from above^r is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.^s The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³²He testifies to what he has seen and heard,^t but no one accepts his testimony.^u ³³Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴For the one whom God has sent^v speaks the words of God, for Godⁱ gives the Spirit^w without limit. ³⁵The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.^x ³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,^y but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

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Footnotes

hSome interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.
iGreek he

Cross references

l Jn 2:6
mSee Mt 23:7
n Jn 1:7
o Jn 1:20, 23
p Mt 9:15
q Jn 16:24; 17:13; Php 2:2; 1 Jn 1:4; 2 Jn 12
rver 13
s Jn 8:23; 1 Jn 4:5
t Jn 8:26; 15:15
uver 11
vSee ver 17
w Isa 42:1; Mt 12:18; Lk 4:18; Ac 10:38
xSee Mt 28:18
ySee ver 15; Jn 5:24; 6:47