3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
At first John the Baptist was the prophet and leader that began drawing so many to the Messiah and enraged the ruler to him. Jesus already proved His miraculous and staggering change at the humble little wedding at Cana.
26 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.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Newcomers may wonder why this twist came about, with John the Baptist revealing Isaiah 40, the apparent Messiah. This can be understood as Jesus humbling Himself before John but with the Baptist humbling himself before God's ancient prophet.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Greek New Testament class felt the confusion in 1966, when we were 18+ years, starting college. We were not very aware of the Fourth Gospel because the "scientific scholars" favored Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But we all felt the excitement of Handel's Messiah at Christmas, engagement ring a year later.
Statue erected in Handel's honor, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
