John 1:15
What does John 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:15 means
John the Baptist bears powerful, public witness to Jesus, even crying out to emphasize his message. He clarifies that while Jesus came *after* him historically (in birth and ministry), Jesus is vastly superior and existed *before* him eternally. This testimony underscores Jesus' pre-existence and divine nature, elevating Him above John and any other human prophet. John's witness authenticates Jesus' identity as the long-awaited divine Messiah, not just another prophet.
John 1:15 in context
John 1 — The Word Made Flesh
John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.
- Pre-existence of Christ
- Incarnation
- Light and life
- First disciples
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949John gave witness about him, crying, This is he of whom I said, He who is coming after me is put over me because he was in existence before me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862John doth testify concerning him, and hath cried, saying, `This was he of whom I said, He who after me is coming, hath come before me, for he was before me;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752John beareth witness of him and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me is preferred before me: because he was before me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(John bears witness of him, and he has cried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me;)
Context
Having just revealed the incarnation of the Word, the narrative immediately turns back to John the Baptist's testimony, demonstrating how his prior witness aligns with this profound truth. This return to John's voice acts as an authoritative confirmation from an expected prophetic figure. It reiterates John's humility and points directly to Jesus' pre-eminence, reinforcing the significance of the Word made flesh by an independent, divinely appointed witness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
- Proverbs 8:22
Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.
- John 1:7
The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
- Colossians 1:17
and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.
- Matthew 3:13
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Sermon ideas from John 1:15
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:15 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:15 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:15 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:15 teaches us about first disciples
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Creation
Explore the biblical understanding of creation, God's awesome power, and His eternal purposes revealed in the world around us
Topic
Bible Verses About the Deity of Christ
The Bible consistently reveals Jesus Christ as truly God, possessing divine attributes, titles, and authority.
Topic
Bible Verses About God as Light
Exploring how God reveals Himself as light, symbolizing His holiness, truth, and presence in scripture
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.