King James Version

What Does John 3:26 Mean?

John 3:26 in the King James Version says “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, beh...” — study this verse from John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

John 3:26 · King James Version


Context

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. receive: or, take unto himself

28

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does competitive jealousy between Christian leaders or movements dishonor Christ?
  2. What does the disciples' concern reveal about misunderstanding ministry's purpose?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔρχονται2 of 27

“men come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς3 of 27

“to”

G4314

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,

τὸν4 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰωάννην5 of 27

“John”

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

καὶ6 of 27

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπον7 of 27

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτόν8 of 27

“him”

G846

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

Ῥαββί9 of 27

“Rabbi”

G4461

my master, i.e rabbi, as an official title of honor

ᾧ10 of 27

“he”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν11 of 27

“that was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

μετὰ12 of 27

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

σοῦ13 of 27

“thee”

G4675

of thee, thy

πέραν14 of 27

“beyond”

G4008

through (as adverb or preposition), i.e., across

τοῦ15 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰορδάνου16 of 27

“Jordan”

G2446

the jordanes (i.e., jarden), a river of palestine

ᾧ17 of 27

“he”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

σὺ18 of 27

“thou”

G4771

thou

μεμαρτύρηκας19 of 27

“barest witness”

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

ἴδε20 of 27
G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

οὗτος21 of 27

“the same”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

βαπτίζει22 of 27

“baptizeth”

G907

to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi

καὶ23 of 27

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντες24 of 27

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἔρχονται25 of 27

“men come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς26 of 27

“to”

G4314

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,

αὐτόν27 of 27

“him”

G846

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 3:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 3:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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