John 1:15
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Original Language Analysis
μαρτυρεῖ
bare witness
G3140
μαρτυρεῖ
bare witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
2 of 22
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κέκραγεν
cried
G2896
κέκραγεν
cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Οὗτος
This
G3778
Οὗτος
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
8 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὃν
of whom
G3739
ὃν
of whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀπίσω
after
G3694
ὀπίσω
after
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
13 of 22
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
ἐρχόμενος
He that cometh
G2064
ἐρχόμενος
He that cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
15 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἔμπροσθέν
before
G1715
ἔμπροσθέν
before
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
16 of 22
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
γέγονεν
is preferred
G1096
γέγονεν
is preferred
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
18 of 22
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
19 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:Colossians 1:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.Luke 3:16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Historical Context
John the Baptist was immensely popular, drawing crowds from throughout Judea and beyond. His endorsement of Jesus as eternally superior carried significant weight. John's disciples formed part of Jesus' earliest following (John 1:35-40). This verse appears again in John 1:30, emphasizing its importance—the greatest prophet of the old covenant recognizes Christ's absolute supremacy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's willingness to point beyond himself to Christ model Christian ministry?
- What does Christ's pre-existence mean for understanding His divine nature?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John the Baptist's testimony creates a temporal paradox: 'He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.' Jesus was born six months after John (Luke 1:26) and began ministry later, yet John declares Jesus existed 'before' him. The Greek 'protos mou en' (was first/before me) asserts Christ's pre-existence. John's ministry chronologically preceded Jesus' public ministry, yet ontologically, Christ eternally precedes John. This testimony from the forerunner establishes Christ's eternal nature.