John 3:26
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχονται
men come
G2064
ἔρχονται
men come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 27
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
ᾧ
he
G3739
ᾧ
he
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾧ
he
G3739
ᾧ
he
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μεμαρτύρηκας
barest witness
G3140
μεμαρτύρηκας
barest witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
19 of 27
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ἴδε
G1492
ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
20 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οὗτος
the same
G3778
οὗτος
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
21 of 27
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
βαπτίζει
baptizeth
G907
βαπτίζει
baptizeth
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
22 of 27
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχονται
men come
G2064
ἔρχονται
men come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
25 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.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 12:19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.Isaiah 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.John 11:48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Historical Context
This competitive spirit appears throughout church history—movements jealously guarding 'their' disciples. John's disciples saw ministry in zero-sum terms: Jesus' gain meant their loss. John's response (verses 27-30) corrects this fundamentally flawed perspective.
Questions for Reflection
- How does competitive jealousy between Christian leaders or movements dishonor Christ?
- What does the disciples' concern reveal about misunderstanding ministry's purpose?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
John's disciples report with concern: 'Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.' They see Jesus as competitor—someone John endorsed now surpassing him. The phrase 'all men come to him' expresses exaggeration born of jealousy. John's disciples haven't grasped their teacher's purpose: to decrease while Christ increases. Human tendency protects our teacher, our movement, our significance.