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John the Baptist Points to Jesus
John the Baptist explains why Jesus’ growing ministry does not threaten his own. In this passage, John points away from himself and speaks clearly about who Jesus is and why people must listen to him.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
Jesus and his disciples are in Judea baptising, while John is also baptising in a place with much water. A dispute about purification leads John’s disciples to raise a concern that more people are going to Jesus. John answers by restating his role and exalting Jesus.
John 3:22–36Main takeaway
This passage teaches that John gladly takes a lesser place because Jesus comes from heaven, speaks God’s words, and is the Son in whom people must believe.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Two ministries are happening at the same timeJesus is in the land of Judea with his disciples, and people are being baptised there. John is also baptising in Enon near Salim, where there is much water.
Explanation
Jesus is in the land of Judea with his disciples, and people are being baptised there. John is also baptising in Enon near Salim, where there is much water. The note that John had not yet been thrown into prison simply places this moment in time within John’s public ministry.
02John refuses jealousy and remembers his callingAfter a dispute about purification, John’s disciples worry that people are going to Jesus.
Explanation
After a dispute about purification, John’s disciples worry that people are going to Jesus. John replies that a person only receives what is given from heaven. He reminds them that he already said he is not the Christ, but the one sent before him. John understands his role as given, not seized.
03The friend rejoices when the bridegroom is heardJohn uses a wedding picture. The bride belongs with the bridegroom, while the bridegroom’s friend stands nearby and rejoices to hear his voice.
Explanation
John uses a wedding picture. The bride belongs with the bridegroom, while the bridegroom’s friend stands nearby and rejoices to hear his voice. John says that this is why his joy is full. Jesus’ increase is not John’s loss. John is glad to become less important while Jesus becomes more prominent.
04Jesus comes from above and speaks God’s wordsJohn contrasts earthly origin with the one who comes from above. Jesus is above all and testifies to what he has seen and heard.
Explanation
John contrasts earthly origin with the one who comes from above. Jesus is above all and testifies to what he has seen and heard. Receiving his witness is agreeing that God is true. The one sent by God speaks God’s words, and God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
05The passage ends with a clear responseThe final verse presses for a decision about the Son. Believing in the Son means having eternal life.
Explanation
The final verse presses for a decision about the Son. Believing in the Son means having eternal life. Refusing him is described here as disobeying the Son, and such a person will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John’s testimony leads to this urgent conclusion.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does John say he is not troubled that people are going to Jesus?
02What reasons does the passage give for Jesus’ authority?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
John 3:22–36
22After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.
23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;
24for John was not yet thrown into prison.
25Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.
26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
27John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
28You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
33He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.
34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”