John 1:30

30 This is he of whom I said, ¹'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'

John 1:30 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:30

This is he, of whom it is said
Either the day before, as in ( John 1:27 ) , or some time before that, ( John 1:15 ) , when he first began to baptize, even before Christ came to be baptized by him, and before he personally knew him; see ( Matthew 3:11 Matthew 3:13 ) .

After me cometh a man;
not a mere man, but the man God's fellow: and this is said, not because he was now a grown man, or to show the truth of his human nature; but seems to be a common Hebraism, and is all one as if it had been said, "after me cometh one", or a certain person: for the sense of this phrase, and what follows, (See Gill on John 1:15).

John 1:30 In-Context

28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'

31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 15, 27