Further Testimony About Jesus by John the Baptist

3:22 After this,47 Jesus and his disciples came into Judean territory, and there he spent time with them and was baptizing. 3:23 John48 was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim,49 because water was plentiful there, and people were coming50 to him51 and being baptized. 3:24 (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)52

3:25 Now a dispute came about between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew53 concerning ceremonial washing.54 3:26 So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River,55 about whom you testified—see, he is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to him!”

3:27 John replied,56 “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’57 but rather, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 3:29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly58 when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete.59 3:30 He must become more important while I become less important.”60

3:31 The one who comes from above is superior to all.61 The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.62 The one who comes from heaven63 is superior to all.64 3:32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 3:33 The one who has accepted his testimony has confirmed clearly that God is truthful.65 3:34 For the one whom God has sent66 speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly.67 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority.68 3:36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects69 the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath70 remains71 on him.