John Develops an Understanding of Authority

1. 1:19-34 This is the witness (given by John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus). The Jews from Jerusalem, that is the priests and the Levites, sent to ask him "Who are you?" He (the Baptist) confessed and did not deny, saying "I am not the Christ."

7. 3:22-36 After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea. There they continued (with their ministry) and baptized. John also was baptizing in Ainon near Salim because there were many streams of water there. So they (Jesus and his disciples) came and were baptized. (They were able to do this) because John had not yet been thrown into prison. There was a degree of questioning of the disciples of John by a Jew about the subject of purifying. They (John's disciples) came to John and said to him. "Rabbi the one who was with you beyond the Jordan and to whom you bore witness, behold this man is baptizing and everyone is coming to him. John answered and said. "A man cannot receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves know that I said I am not the Christ.

They asked him "Are you Elias?" He says "I am not." They asked "Are you the prophet?" He answered "No" They therefore said to him "Who are you? Tell us something so we can give an answer to the people who have sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He (the Baptist) said "I am the voice of one who cries out in the desert "Make the way of the Lord straight" as the prophet Isaiah said."

Rather I have been sent before that one. It is the one who has the bride that is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom stands by and on hearing him is happy because this is the voice of the bridegroom. It is therefore with joy that I find my role has been completed. It is right for that one to increase. But as for me (it is right for me) to decrease. The one who comes from above is over all. The one (John himself) who comes from the earth is of earth and speaks of earth. The one from heaven in coming, is over all. What he has seen and heard is what he gives witness to. His witness is such that no one receives it (fully).

Now the people who had been sent were Pharisees. They asked him saying "Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?" John answered them saying "I baptize in water. But amongst you there stands someone whom you do not know. This one is coming after me. I am not even worthy to loosen the thong of his sandal."

On the other hand the person who does receive him is sealed in the conviction that God is truly (there). He (Jesus) whom God has sent, speaks the words of God. He gives the Spirit of God fully. The Father loves the Son and has given (him control) of everything - into his hand. The one who believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life. On the other hand the one who disobeys the Son will not see life. Rather the wrath of God remains upon him. 3:22-36