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In this lesson:
John the Baptist talks about Jesus. How to find eternal life. Study Tip: It helps to study more than one Bible translation. As you read, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
The preaching of John the Baptist
By the Italian painter Francesco d'Ubertino Verdi known as Bachiacca (1494-1557) |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 3:22-36
John the Baptist on Jesus 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 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. 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. |
Margin notes:
"There he tarried with them, and baptized." (3:22) - "He stayed there with them, baptizing." Jesus did not do the actual baptizing; His disciples did (4:1-2). "John also was baptizing." (3:23) - As described in Matthew 3:4-6. "In Aenon." (3:23) - Aenon, meaning springs or natural fountain, is on the Jordan River about forty miles north of Bethabara where John baptized Jesus. Aenon is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. "John was not yet cast into prison." (3:24) - John the Baptist was eventually arrested and beheaded by King Herod Antipas for denouncing the Kings marriage to Herodias, his niece and brother's ex-wife. "He that was with thee beyond Jordan." (3:26) - The "He" refers to Jesus. "To whom thou bares witness." (3:26) - John the Baptist spread the news that Jesus was the Son of God (John 1:7; 15; 27; 34). "The same baptizeth, and all men come to him." (3:26) - Jesus' fame is growing, and people are going to Him to be baptized. "I am sent before him." (3:28) - God sent John to prepare the way for Jesus (1:7-9), as prophesized in Isaiah 40:4, Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6 450 years before the birth of Christ. "He must increase, but I must decrease." (3:30) - It was time for Jesus’ ministry to unfold and prophecy be fulfilled. Jesus will now grow in reputation while John the Baptist fades into the background. Indeed, this segment is the last time we see John. It's the same for believers. Once we accept Christ it's time for Jesus to increase in our lives and our old, sinful ways to decrease. "He that cometh from above is above all." (3:31) - Means, Jesus stands above the universe and everything in it. A point reinforced in Romans 9:5. "Set to his seal that God is true." (3:33) - "Certified that God is true." "Giveth not the Spirit by measure." (3:34) - This means that the Spirit of God was in Jesus without measure, bounds, or limitation. "Given all things into his hand." (3:35) - God has "given all things" to Jesus (Luke 10:22; John 16:15). "The wrath of God abideth on him." (3:36) - "The wrath of God stays with him." Verse 3:36 summarizes chapter three. |
New Living Translation
John 3:22-36
John the Baptist Exalts Jesus
22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.)
25 A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.
26 So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."
27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.
28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.'
29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
31 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.
32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!
33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.
34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.
35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.
36 And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
John the Baptist Exalts Jesus
22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.)
25 A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.
26 So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."
27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.
28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.'
29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
31 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.
32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!
33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.
34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.
35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.
36 And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (3:27)
"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." (3:31)
"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." (3:36)
"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." (3:31)
"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." (3:36)
Today's Question:
1. Why didn't John the Baptist become one of Jesus' twelve disciples?
Let us know if you have any questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
1. Why didn't John the Baptist become one of Jesus' twelve disciples?
Let us know if you have any questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. God gave John the Baptist two tasks. To tell the world they must repent (Mark 1:4), and prepare the way for Jesus Christ (John 1:23). John's job, to point people to the Messiah, wasn't finished once Jesus arrived. Even after Jesus began His ministry, John still had his own work to finish.
Although some of his followers were concerned that Jesus was overshadowing them (3:26), John the Baptist was happy to have Jesus be the focal point. John is a good role model today; be wary of religious leaders who want the spotlight on them instead of God.
Application thought for the day:
Those who trust in Jesus already have (not will have) everlasting life (3:36).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke