INTRO TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Sarah Barry
HE MUST BECOME GREATER
Passage: John 3:22~36  
Key verse: 30
John Testifies Again About Jesus
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(A) 23 Now John(B) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(C) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(D) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(E) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(F) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(G) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(H) 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.(I) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]
31 The one who comes from above(J) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.(K) The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard,(L) but no one accepts his testimony.(M) 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent(N) speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit(O) without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.(P) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,(Q) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Cross references
- John 3:22 : Jn 4:2
- John 3:23 : S Mt 3:1
- John 3:24 : Mt 4:12; 14:3
- John 3:25 : Jn 2:6
- John 3:26 : S Mt 23:7
- John 3:26 : Jn 1:7
- John 3:28 : Jn 1:20, 23
- John 3:29 : Mt 9:15
- John 3:29 : Jn 16:24; 17:13; Php 2:2; 1Jn 1:4; 2Jn 12
- John 3:31 : ver 13
- John 3:31 : Jn 8:23; 1Jn 4:5
- John 3:32 : Jn 8:26; 15:15
- John 3:32 : ver 11
- John 3:34 : S ver 17
- John 3:34 : Isa 42:1; Mt 12:18; Lk 4:18; Ac 10:38
- John 3:35 : S Mt 28:18
- John 3:36 : S ver 15; Jn 5:24; 6:47
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Jesus is the bridegroom (22-30)
When John's disciples reported that all people were going to Jesus to be baptized, John was not jealous at all. He used it to testify that he was not the Messiah but Jesus is. John accepted God's sovereignty joyfully and humbly as a friend of the bridegroom Jesus who should take his bride. He never forgot his mission as the forerunner of the Messiah saying, "He must become greater; I must become less"
2. Jesus gives eternal life (31-36)
John says again that he is from the earth and speaks only earthly things. But Jesus is from above. He is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard. But no one receives his testimony. However, to anyone who receives Jesus, God gives him eternal life. But those who don't receive him will not see life but the wrath of God remains on him.
Prayer: Lord, raise many gospel workers like John the Baptist who witness to Jesus, the giver of eternal life.
One Word: Jesus gives eternal life