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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/43_Jhn_01_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:15 - The Word Became Flesh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, This is He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/1-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/1-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/1-14.htm" title="John 1:14">◄</a> John 1:15 <a href="/john/1-16.htm" title="John 1:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a> (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, &#8220This is the one I spoke about when I said, &#8216He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.&#8217&#8221) <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> John witnesses concerning Him, and he cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I was saying, 'The One coming after me has precedence over me, because He was before me.'" <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> John testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’” <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> John testified about Him and cried out, saying, &#8220This was He of whom I said, &#8216He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> John bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> John testified [repeatedly] about Him and has cried out [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.’” <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ”) <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed,&#8221 This was the One of whom I said, The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.&#8217&#8221) <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> John spoke about him and shouted, "This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born." <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> (John declared the truth about him when he said loudly, "This is the person about whom I said, 'The one who comes after me was before me because he existed before I did.' ") <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.'" <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> John told the truth about him when he cried out, "This is the person about whom I said, 'The one who comes after me ranks higher than me, because he existed before me.'" <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, ?This is He of whom I said, ?He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.?? <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> John testified about him and shouted out, "This one was the one about whom I said, 'He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.'" <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> John testified about him and shouted out, saying, "This was the one of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'" <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> John testified concerning him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me, is preferred before me; for he was before me. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me,' for He was before me." <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> John testifies concerning Him, and has cried, saying, “This was He of whom I said, He who is coming after me has come before me, for He was before me.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> John witnesses concerning Him, and he cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I was saying, 'The One coming after me has precedence over me, because He was before me.'" <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> John doth testify concerning him, and hath cried, saying, 'This was he of whom I said, He who after me is coming, hath come before me, for he was before me;' <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> John testifies for him, and he tried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He coming after me was before me: for he was before me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me, is preferred before me: because he was before me. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> John offers testimony about him, and he cries out, saying: “This is the one about whom I said: ‘He who is to come after me, has been placed ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ” <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ” <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”)<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> John witnessed concerning him and cried and said, This is the one of whom I said, He is coming after me, and yet he is ahead of me, because he was before me. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yohannan bore witness of him and cried, saying, “This was he of whom I spoke: 'He that comes after me is preferred in honor before me, for he had priority over me.'<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> John testified of him, and cried, saying: This is he of whom I said: He that comes after me, is now before me, for he existed before me. <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> John beareth witness concerning Him, and cried out saying; This is He of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me has been before me: <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> John bore witness concerning him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I said, He that is coming after me, is before me: because before me he was. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> it was of him that John bare witness, when he made this declaration, "this was he of whom I said, he that cometh after me, was before me; for he did indeed exist before me." <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me,' for He was before me." <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> John testifies concerning Him, and has cried, saying, "This was He of Whom I said, 'He That cometh after me hath become before me, because He was before me;'" <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Of Him did John bare witness, and publicly declared, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for He was before me. <a href="/parallel/john/1-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=95" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Word Became Flesh</a> 14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15<a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyrei (V-PIA-3S) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">testified</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">concerning</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2896.htm" title="2896: kekragen (V-RIA-3S) -- To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to croak or scream, i.e. to call aloud.">He cried out,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">saying,</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">“This</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is He</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">of whom</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipon (V-AIA-1S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">I said,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">‘He who</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To come, go. ">comes</a> <a href="/greek/3694.htm" title="3694: opisō (Prep) -- Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.">after</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegonen (V-RIA-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">has</a> <a href="/greek/1715.htm" title="1715: emprosthen (Prep) -- From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time).">surpassed</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">He was</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtos (Adj-NMS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">before</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me.’”</a> 16From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <a href="/john/1-16.htm">John 1:16-18</a> From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. / For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. / No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. <a href="/john/3-30.htm">John 3:30</a> He must increase; I must decrease. <a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a> “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” <a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-36</a> You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. ... <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11</a> I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. <a href="/luke/3-16.htm">Luke 3:16</a> John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. <a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7-8</a> And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. / I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-3</a> On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. <a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15-17</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. / For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6-7</a> Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Revelation 1:8</a> “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty. <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>John bore witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.bare.<a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7,8,29-34</a> The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe… <a href="/john/3-26.htm">John 3:26-36</a> And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him… <a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-36</a> Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth… he was.<a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1,2,30</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… <a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a> Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.<a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a> And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/22-62.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/luke/13-9.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/john/1-8.htm">Existed</a> <a href="/john/1-10.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/luke/14-10.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John</a> <a href="/daniel/6-3.htm">Preferred</a> <a href="/luke/19-12.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/mark/6-40.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm">Surpassed</a> <a href="/luke/4-22.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/hosea/7-10.htm">Testifies</a> <a href="/john/1-8.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/1-8.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Who</a> <a href="/john/1-8.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-23.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/john/1-32.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/john/1-32.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/john/1-49.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/john/1-23.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/john/1-30.htm">Existed</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/john/1-30.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John</a> <a href="/john/1-27.htm">Preferred</a> <a href="/john/1-30.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/john/1-30.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/john/1-30.htm">Surpassed</a> <a href="/john/1-32.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Testifies</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/13-18.htm">Who</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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John the Baptist's role as a witness is central to the Gospel narrative. His testimony is significant because it fulfills the prophecy of <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>, where a voice cries out in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. John's role as a forerunner to Christ is also highlighted in <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>. His testimony establishes Jesus' divine identity and mission, setting the stage for His public ministry.He cried out, saying, The phrase "cried out" indicates the urgency and importance of John's message. In the cultural context of the time, public proclamation was a primary means of communication, and John's bold declaration would have drawn significant attention. This public announcement underscores the prophetic nature of John's ministry and his role as a herald of the Messiah.“This is He of whom I said, John's statement points back to his previous declarations about the coming Messiah. This consistency in his message reinforces his credibility as a prophet. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative, where prophets often pointed to the coming of a savior, as seen in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>, where Moses speaks of a prophet like himself whom God will raise up.‘He who comes after me John acknowledges that Jesus' ministry follows his own, aligning with the cultural expectation of a forerunner preparing the way for someone greater. This sequence is significant in the context of Jewish tradition, where the arrival of a new leader or teacher often followed a period of preparation and anticipation.has surpassed me John's recognition of Jesus' superiority is a testament to his humility and understanding of his role. This acknowledgment is crucial, as it highlights the transition from the old covenant, represented by John, to the new covenant, inaugurated by Jesus. It also reflects the theme of Jesus' preeminence found throughout the New Testament, such as in <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a>.because He was before me.’” This statement emphasizes the preexistence of Christ, a foundational doctrine in Christian theology. It aligns with the prologue of John's Gospel, which declares that the Word was with God in the beginning (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1</a>). This assertion of Jesus' eternal nature connects to Old Testament references to the divine nature of the Messiah, such as in <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, which speaks of a ruler from Bethlehem whose origins are from ancient times.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for baptizing Jesus and calling people to repentance. He is the one testifying about Jesus in this verse. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure of Christianity, whom John the Baptist is testifying about. Jesus is described as surpassing John because He existed before him, indicating His pre-existence and divinity. 3. <a href="/topical/t/testimony.htm">Testimony</a> The act of bearing witness. In this context, John the Baptist is publicly declaring the identity and preeminence of Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_preeminence_of_christ.htm">The Preeminence of Christ</a> Jesus is not just a historical figure but the eternal Word who existed before all creation. Recognizing His preeminence should lead us to worship and revere Him above all else. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_testimony.htm">The Role of Testimony</a> Like John the Baptist, believers are called to testify about Jesus. Our lives and words should point others to His greatness and divinity. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_divinity.htm">Understanding Jesus' Divinity</a> Acknowledging Jesus as God incarnate is foundational to Christian faith. This understanding should deepen our relationship with Him and our commitment to His teachings. <a href="/topical/h/humility_in_service.htm">Humility in Service</a> John the Baptist's recognition of Jesus' superiority exemplifies humility. We should serve with the same humility, acknowledging that our purpose is to glorify Christ, not ourselves. <a href="/topical/t/the_eternal_nature_of_christ.htm">The Eternal Nature of Christ</a> Jesus' existence before John highlights His eternal nature. This assurance of His eternal presence provides comfort and hope in our daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/why_does_john_1_15_say_jesus_predated_john.htm">Why does John 1:15 say Jesus existed before John the Baptist, when historically John was older? </a> <a href="/q/how_can_god_become_human.htm">How can God incarnate as a human being?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jesus's_testimony_meet_witness_rules.htm">John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_say_in_john_5_31,_8_14.htm">In the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness in John 5:31 and John 8:14?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) John bare witness of him, and cried.--Better, John beareth witness of him, and crieth. The latter verb is past in tense, but present in meaning. For the sense comp. Note on <a href="/john/7-37.htm" title="In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.">John 7:37</a>. The writer thinks of the testimony as ever present, ever forceful. Twice on successive days had he heard them from the lips of the Baptist; three times within a few verses does he himself record them. (Comp. <a href="/john/1-27.htm" title="He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's lace I am not worthy to unloose.">John 1:27</a>; <a href="/john/1-30.htm" title="This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.">John 1:30</a>.) They are among the words stamped on the heart in the crisis of life, and as fresh in the aged Apostle as they had been in the youthful inquirer. He remembers how he heard them, and from whom they came. That wondrous spiritual power in their midst which all men felt, whose witness men would have accepted had he declared that he was himself the Christ, uttered his witness then, and it holds good now. It is quoted here as closely bound up with the personal reminiscence of <a href="/john/1-14.htm" title="And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.">John 1:14</a>, and with the thought of <a href="/context/john/1-6.htm" title="There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.">John 1:6-7</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - (6) The testimony to this fact by the prophetic spirit. The evangelist, in support and vindication of the profound impression produced upon himself and others by the Christ, cites the startling and paradoxical testimony of the Baptist, which in John's own hearing the great forerunner had twice uttered, under very extraordinary circumstances (see vers. 26, 30). In the later verses this testimony is put in its proper place. Its repetition deepens the impression which the narrative gives of the vivid reality, and of the fact that the evangelist was trusting to a strongly impressed recollection, and is not romanticizing, as the Tubingen critics suppose. The sharp paradoxical form is thoroughly characteristic of the man who called on scribes and Pharisees to "repent," and spoke of God raising up seed to Abraham from the stones of the ground. From the synoptists we learn that John declared that the Coming One was "mightier" than himself, would deal with the Holy Ghost and with fire as he was able to do with water. He knew not the kind of manifestation which was coming on apace. But an enormous change passed over John the Baptist when he came into contact with our Lord, and at his baptism he sank abashed before the revelations which flashed on his soul. The enigmatical form of the Baptist's utterances was the beginning of the evangelist's faith in the personal pre-existence of the Logos who had become flesh in Christ. The testimony of the Baptist is here brought in, as the last great word of the prophetic ministry of the Old Testament, apart from the historic setting in which it afterwards occurs, as if, moreover, it was an abiding word which was yet sounding in the ears of men. The greatest of the sons of woman, and "more than a prophet," he who gathered up in his immense personality all the functions of prophet, priest, Nazarite, and master and teacher of men, the Elijah of the new revelation - John, the very ideal of Divine and supernatural voice in this world of ours, John, the veritable historic man, moreover, to whose disastrous martyrdom some of the Jews (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 18, 5, 2) referred the terrible judgments that befell their nation - John beareth witness. That was his function, and his testimony still stands, his "voice" is still heard wherever his great career is known or properly appreciated - in Palestine, in Alexandria, in Ephesus or Corinth. And he crieth (κέκραγεν); or, hath cried; and the cry is still heard among men: This was he of whom I spake; implying that John uttered words of strange enigmatical significance before he saw Jesus coming to his baptism, and that, as the evangelist subsequently shows, on two memorable occasions, the prophet recalled them and reaffirmed their truthfulness. Before I saw him, I said it: He that is coming after me hath become - hath been in mighty activity - before me. He came forth in many ways from the Father, and was the central reality of the old covenant; γέγονεν, he hath come in the voice of the Lord, in the Shechinah glory, in the Angel of the presence, chronologically "before me." The English Version has followed the traditionary interpretation from Chrysostom to Lucke, De Wette, Alford, McLellan, and has seen in this ἐμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν a reference to the higher rank or dignity of the Logos incarnate, and translated the second clause "is preferred before me," or "hath been made before me," etc. But such a statement would not have conveyed any thought of great importance. A herald is naturally exceeded and superseded by the dignity and rank of him for whom he prepares the way. Moreover, the two adverbs of place are used in metaphorical sense as adverbs of time (derived from the relative position of individuals in a line or procession), and it is scarcely probable that the second should be used in another sense altogether, which would have disturbed the antithesis between them. On the other hand, Hengstenberg, Meyer, Lange, Godet, etc., recognize the perception of the Baptist, and his utterance of belief in the pre-existence of the Christ, and that from such passages as <a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Isaiah 6:1</a> and <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> he knew that he who was coming into the world, and about to baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire, to take the fan in his hand, etc., had been in reality before him. The difficulty of this interpretation is said to be that the proof which follows - because, or for (πρῶτός μου ἤν), he was before me - would be tautologous in the extreme; the reason given for the Lord having become before him being simply the asseveration of the fact. But the two very remarkable expressions, ἐμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν and πρῶτός νου ἤν, are not identical. The first may easily refer to the historic precedence of the activity of the Coming One in all the operations of the Logos; the second may refer to the absolute and eternal precedence of the Logos in itself. If so, the whole significance of the previous fourteen verses is gathered up, and shown to have been flashed upon the consciousness of John the Baptist, and uttered with such intensity that the evangelist caught the idea, and saw in it the key to the whole mystery. It would seem, however, that the ὅτι πρῶτός did not form part of the original utterance of John. After the baptism, the whole truth had broken upon the Baptist, and he clenched or saw an explanation of the mystery. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>John Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. testified μαρτυρεῖ (martyrei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. concerning περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. Him. αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. He cried out, κέκραγεν (kekragen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud. saying, λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “This Οὗτος (Houtos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. is He ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. of whom ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. I said, εἶπον (eipon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘He who Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. comes ἐρχόμενος (erchomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. after ὀπίσω (opisō) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3694.htm">Strong's 3694: </a> Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback. me μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. has γέγονεν (gegonen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. surpassed ἔμπροσθέν (emprosthen) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1715.htm">Strong's 1715: </a> From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time). me μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. He was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. before πρῶτός (prōtos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. me.?? μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:15 John testified about him (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>