John Chapter 1 · Verse 30
This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Original Language Analysis
οὗτός
This
G3778
οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Ὀπίσω
After
G3694
Ὀπίσω
After
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
7 of 18
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔμπροσθέν
before
G1715
ἔμπροσθέν
before
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
12 of 18
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
γέγονεν
is preferred
G1096
γέγονεν
is preferred
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
14 of 18
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 #:
15 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
John 1:15John 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.John 1:27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.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:
Historical Context
In Jewish culture, priority often came with birth order. John paradoxically acknowledges that one younger than himself holds superior rank, pointing to Christ's transcendent origin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's pre-existence inform our understanding of His authority and worthiness to save?
- What does it mean practically to acknowledge Christ's supremacy 'before' us in all things?
Analysis & Commentary
John's declaration that Christ 'was before me' despite being born after John reveals Christ's pre-existence, a cornerstone of Johannine Christology. The phrase 'preferred before me' (Greek: protos, meaning 'first' in rank) acknowledges Christ's ontological superiority. This testifies to the Reformed doctrine of Christ's eternal deity and His economic subordination in the incarnation for our redemption.