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John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.`"
Verse Takeaways
1
After Me, Yet Before Me
Commentators explain the paradox in John's statement. While Jesus came "after" John in terms of his birth and public ministry, He is "before" John in rank and honor. The reason given—"for he was before me"—is a direct claim to Jesus's eternal pre-existence and divinity, affirming He existed long before John was ever born.
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John
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12
18th Century
Presbyterian
John bare witness of him — The evangelist now returns to the testimony of John the Baptist. He had stated that the Word became incarnate, …
Beareth witness (μαρτυρε). Historical (dramatic) present indicative of this characteristic word in John (cf. 1:17f.). See 1:32,34 …
19th Century
Anglican
John bore witness of him, and cried.—Better, John bears witness of him, and cries. The latter verb is past in tense, but present …
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Baptist
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.…
The author reverts to the witness of John the Baptist to explain further the Baptist’s position as to Christ. The manifestation of Jesus came after…
16th Century
Protestant
John testifieth. He now relates what John's preaching was. By using the verb testifieth (μαρτυρεῖ) in the present tense, he indic…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
John bore witness of him Which was his office and business, for which purpose he was sent, (John 1:6–8)<…
As to the order of time and entrance on His work, Christ came after John, but in every other way He was before him. This expression clearly shows t…
13th Century
Catholic
Having given the evidence by which the Word was made known to the apostles by sight, the Evangelist then presents the evidence by which t…
