He Must Become Greater: John the Baptist Points to Jesus (John 3:22–36)
After Jesus had an important conversation with Nicodemus about being “born again,” the Gospel of John tells us what happened next. Jesus and His disciples began spending time in the countryside, and people started coming to Him to be baptized. But this stirred up questions—especially among the followers of John the Baptist.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened and what it teaches us about humility, faith, and who Jesus really is.
People Start Following Jesus
At this point, both Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing people. John’s ministry had started earlier, so some of his followers were surprised that more people were now going to Jesus instead.
John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, that man you testified about—Jesus—is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him!”
They were concerned that Jesus was becoming more popular than John.
John Responds with Joy and Humility
Instead of being upset, John was joyful. He said something wise and beautiful:
“A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.”
John explained that he was never the main character in the story—Jesus was. To help make his point clear, he used an example they could understand: at a wedding, the groom is the important one, not the best man. John saw himself as the best man, happy to stand beside Jesus, the true “bridegroom.”
Then John said something that still stands out today:
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John was happy to step aside so Jesus could take center stage. That’s real humility.
Jesus Comes from Heaven
John went on to explain why Jesus is so special. He said Jesus didn’t just speak like a prophet—He came from heaven and spoke God’s very words. Because of that, Jesus has complete authority and deserves our trust.
John also said that God gave the Spirit fully to Jesus, meaning He had everything He needed to do God’s will. Jesus wasn’t just another teacher. He was the One sent from God.
Believe and Have Eternal Life
John ended his message with a strong truth:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
In simple terms, John was saying: if you trust Jesus, you will have eternal life with God. But if you choose to ignore Him, you miss out on that life.
What We Can Learn
This part of the Bible reminds us of three important lessons:
- Be humble like John. He didn’t get jealous of Jesus’ success. He was happy to step aside and point others to Jesus.
- Trust that Jesus is from God. Jesus came from heaven, and His words carry the weight of truth and life.
- Faith leads to life. Believing in Jesus isn’t just about religion—it’s about receiving real life that starts now and lasts forever.
John the Baptist had every reason to be proud, but he chose to lift up Jesus instead. That’s the kind of heart God loves—and the kind of faith that brings life.
John 3:22-36 (WEB)
3:22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized; 24 for John was not yet thrown into prison. 25 Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”