Joh 3:22-36 | ESV | STEP | After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside , and he remained there with them and was baptizing .

John 3:22-36

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and ^awas baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for ^bJohn had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over ^cpurification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, ^d“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, ^eto whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and ^fall are going to him.” 27 John answered, ^g“A person cannot receive even one thing ^hunless it is given him ⁱfrom heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^j‘I am not the Christ, but ^kI have been sent before him.’ 29 ^lThe one who has the bride is the bridegroom. ^mThe friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, ⁿrejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 ^oHe must increase, but I must decrease.” ^{▼▼Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36}

31 ^qHe who comes from above ^ris above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and ^sspeaks in an earthly way. ^tHe who comes from heaven ^uis above all. 32 ^vHe bears witness to what he has seen and heard, ^wyet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony ^xsets his seal to this, ^ythat God is true. 34 For he whom ^zGod has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit ^aawithout measure. 35 ^abThe Father loves the Son and ^achas given all things into his hand. 36 ^adWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life; ^aewhoever does not obey the Son shall not ^afsee life, but the wrath of God remains on him.