John 3:30
What does John 3:30 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:30 means
This is John the Baptist's most succinct and iconic statement, encapsulating his entire mission and attitude toward Jesus: "He must increase, but I must decrease." It expresses John's profound understanding of Christ's supremacy and his own role as a temporary forerunner. It is a declaration of selfless submission, recognizing that Jesus's ministry would inevitably and rightly overshadow his own. This spiritual principle applies to all who serve Christ: true fruitfulness comes from exalting Him, not ourselves.
John 3:30 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 · 2000He must increase, but I must decrease.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He must increase, but I must decrease.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He must increase, but I must decrease.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He has to become greater while I become less.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Him it behoveth to increase, and me to become less;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He must increase: but I must decrease.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He must increase, but I must decrease.
Context
Building on the joyful illustration of the bridegroom's friend, John the Baptist delivers his most memorable and profound declaration regarding Jesus. This verse directly expresses the necessary shift in prominence from John to Jesus, encapsulating John's entire message of humility and Christ's supremacy. This pivotal statement sets the stage for John to further elaborate on Jesus's unique divine origin and authority as the One who comes from above.
v.29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.
v.30This passage
v.31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
- Daniel 2:34
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces.
- Acts 13:36
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
- 1 Corinthians 3:5
What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.
- Psalms 72:17
His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy.
Sermon ideas from John 3:30
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:30 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:30 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:30 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:30 teaches us about faith and life
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