Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:29

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom`s voice: this my joy therefore is made full." — John 3:29 (ASV)

John showed no jealousy whatever; on the contrary, he reaffirmed his subordinate position (cf. 1:29–31). He would not claim for himself final authority but avowed that he had been sent in preparation for the Messiah. As the bridegroom is more important than the best man or “friend” of the bridegroom, so he would be content to act as an assistant to Jesus.

Just how far the simile of bride and bridegroom should be pressed here is questionable. Should the bride represent Israel, to whom the Messiah came, or the church? The imagery is applied to both (cf. Hosea 2:19–20; Ephesians 5:32), but the focus of this passage is on the bridegroom, not the bride. The emphasis is on the relation of Jesus and John rather than on the relation of Jesus to Israel or to the church.