Giovanni 3:28

28 Voi stessi mi siete testimoni che ho detto: Io non sono il Cristo; ma son mandato davanti a lui.

Giovanni 3:28 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:28

Ye yourselves bear me witness
In what they now said, and referred to, in describing Christ, as he to whom John bore witness; and he appeals to them for what he said in their presence, and before all the people in that testimony: that I said I am not the Christ;
see ( John 1:19 John 1:20 ) ; wherefore, if he, who is the Christ, is now come, and teaches, and baptizes, and has the greatest number of followers, it is not to be wondered at; and much less to be envied; but rather to be rejoiced at. For John, by repeating what he had before said, that he was not the Christ, suggests, that Jesus was; and therefore was superior to him in office, honour, and usefulness, who was only his harbinger and forerunner, as follows: but I am sent before him;
to prepare his way, to make straight his paths, to proclaim his coming, and kingdom, being at hand; and that the expectations of men may be raised, and they may be ready to receive him when come: and hereby the end of John's office, and ministry, had its accomplishment. The Ethiopic version adds, "to preach him".

Giovanni 3:28 In-Context

26 E vennero a Giovanni e gli dissero: Maestro, colui che era con te di là dal Giordano, e al quale tu rendesti testimonianza, eccolo che battezza, e tutti vanno a lui.

27 Giovanni rispose dicendo: L’uomo non può ricever cosa alcuna, se non gli è data dal cielo.

28 Voi stessi mi siete testimoni che ho detto: Io non sono il Cristo; ma son mandato davanti a lui.

29 Colui che ha la sposa è lo sposo; ma l’amico dello sposo, che è presente e l’ascolta, si rallegra grandemente alla voce dello sposo; questa allegrezza che è la mia è perciò completa.

30 Bisogna che egli cresca, e che io diminuisca.