Devine Scripture

John 3:26

What does John 3:26 mean?

A plain-English look at John 3:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 3:26 means

John's disciples approach him, expressing concern or perhaps jealousy about Jesus's increasingly popular ministry. They refer to Jesus as "he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness," recognizing Jesus as the one John had previously identified as superior. Their observation that "the same baptizeth, and all men come to him" indicates that Jesus's influence was rapidly eclipsing John's, prompting their master to address the perceived competition.

John 3:26 in context

John 3 — You Must Be Born Again

By night a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus, half-confessing him as a teacher sent from God. Jesus cuts past the compliment: 'except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Religion will not do; reformation will not do; only a new birth by water and the Spirit. The chapter rises to the most-quoted verse in the Bible — 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' — and ends with John the Baptist's last public testimony: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'

  • New birth
  • The Spirit
  • God's love for the world
  • Faith and life

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they went to John and said to him, Rabbi, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the man to whom you gave witness, is now giving baptism, and everyone is going to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they came unto John, and said to him, `Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou didst testify, lo, this one is baptizing, and all are coming unto him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they came to John and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony: behold, he baptizeth and all men come to him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, he baptises, and all come to him.

Context

Prompted by the debate about purifying and the parallel ministries, John’s disciples bring their concern directly to him. This verse captures their observation of Jesus's growing influence and the transfer of followers. This complaint sets the stage for John the Baptist's final, humble, and profound testimony about his subservient role to Jesus, illustrating his unwavering commitment to preparing the way for the Messiah.

v.25There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying.

v.26This passage

v.27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 19:26

    And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:

  • John 1:15

    John 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:4

    Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

  • Numbers 11:26

    But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but had not gone out unto the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.

  • John 1:9

    There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

  • John 1:26

    John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,

Sermon ideas from John 3:26

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 3:26 teaches us about new birth

  • What John 3:26 teaches us about the spirit

  • What John 3:26 teaches us about god's love for the world

  • What John 3:26 teaches us about faith and life

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