John Calvin Commentary John 1:15

"John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me." — John 1:15 (ASV)

John testifieth. He now relates what John's preaching was. By using the verb testifieth (μαρτυρεῖ) in the present tense, he indicates a continuous action. Indeed, this doctrine must remain continually in force, as if John's voice were still resounding in people's ears. Similarly, he later uses the word cry to suggest that John's doctrine was not at all obscure or ambiguous, and that he did not mutter among a few people but openly, and with a loud voice, preached Christ. The first sentence is intended to convey that he was sent for Christ's sake, and therefore it would have been unreasonable for him to be exalted while Christ was less prominent.

This is he of whom I spoke. By these words, he means that his intention from the beginning was to make Christ known, and that this was the purpose of his public discourses. Indeed, there was no other way he could fulfill his office as an ambassador than by calling his disciples to Christ.

Who, coming after me. Although John the Baptist was older than Christ by a few months, he is not speaking of age here; but since he had fulfilled the office of a prophet for a short period before Christ appeared in public, he positions himself as the predecessor in terms of time.

Therefore, with respect to public appearance, Christ came after John the Baptist. The words that follow could be literally translated, he was made before me, for he was before me; but the meaning is that Christ was justly preferred to John, because he was more excellent. He therefore surrenders his office to Christ and — as the proverb says — “delivers the torch to him,” or yields to him as his successor.

But since Christ appeared later in time, John reminds his hearers that this is no reason why Christ should not be preferred to John himself, as Christ's rank deserved. Thus, all who are superior to others, whether in God's gifts or in any degree of honor, must remain in their own proper place, so as to be positioned below Christ.