- 22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them and baptized. 23And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized, 24for John was not yet cast into prison.
- 25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26And they came unto John and said unto him, Rabbi, he who was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bear witness, behold, the same baptizes, and he receives of all people who come unto him.
- 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29He 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. This my joy is therefore fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. 32And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies, and but few men receive his testimony. 33He who has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. 34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives him not the spirit by measure, for he dwells in him, even the fullness. 35The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands, 36and he who believes on the Son has everlasting life and shall receive of his fullness. But he who believes not the Son shall not receive of his fullness, for the wrath of God is upon him.
- 4When therefore the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, they sought more diligently some means that they might put him to death. For many received John as a prophet, but they believed not on Jesus. 2Now the Lord knew this, though he himself baptized not so many as his disciples, for he suffered them for an example, preferring one another. 3And he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee, 4and said unto his disciples, I must go through Samaria.
Chapter 3