John 3:28-30
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
28 You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.(A) 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,[a] who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.(B) 30 He must increase; I must decrease.”(C)
The One from Heaven.[b]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3:29 The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable.
- 3:31–36 It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes.
John 3:28-30
New International Version
28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(A) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(B) 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.(C) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]
Footnotes
- John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.
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