John 3:29 kjv
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 3:29 nkjv
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 3:29 niv
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
John 3:29 esv
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.
John 3:29 nlt
It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom's friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.
John 3 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 9:15 | And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" | Jesus identifies Himself as the Bridegroom, foreshadowing His presence & absence. |
| Mk 2:19 | And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?" | Same bridegroom analogy by Jesus regarding fasting. |
| Lk 5:34 | And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?" | Jesus' third direct self-identification as the Bridegroom. |
| Eph 5:25-27 | ...Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her... | Christ as the Bridegroom loving and cleansing His bride, the Church. |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband... | Paul betroths the Corinthians to Christ as their unique Bridegroom. |
| Rev 19:7-9 | Let us rejoice and exult...for the marriage of the Lamb has come... | The ultimate future marriage supper of the Lamb (Jesus) and His bride. |
| Rev 21:2 | And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. | The New Jerusalem depicted as the Bride of the Lamb. |
| Rev 21:9 | "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." | The angel explicitly identifies the bride as the Church/New Jerusalem. |
| Isa 54:5 | For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name... | God's ancient covenant relationship with Israel, a spousal metaphor. |
| Jer 2:2 | "I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride..." | Yahweh recalling Israel's initial faithfulness using bridal imagery. |
| Hos 2:19-20 | I will betroth you to Me forever... | God's promise to restore Israel and betroth them to Himself eternally. |
| John 1:30 | This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me...'" | John the Baptist’s consistent acknowledgment of Jesus' superiority. |
| John 3:30 | He must increase, but I must decrease. | The core principle of John’s ministry: Jesus' ascension, John's decline. |
| Matt 3:11 | "I baptize you with water...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." | John’s confession of Jesus' greater authority and baptism. |
| Lk 3:16 | John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming..." | John's proclamation of Jesus' greater power and upcoming arrival. |
| Mk 1:7 | And he preached, saying, "After me comes He who is mightier than I..." | John declaring the superiority of the One coming after him. |
| Col 1:18 | He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. | Jesus' universal preeminence and Headship over all things and the Church. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature... | Christ's supreme identity and glory, being God's very essence. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. | General call to joy rooted in Christ, resonating with John's joy. |
| Acts 13:25 | And as John was finishing his course, he said, "What do you suppose that I am?" | John completing his mission and directing people away from himself. |
| Jn 1:7 | He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, that all might believe through him. | John's foundational purpose: to witness to Jesus, the True Light. |
| Ps 19:5 | ...like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber... | Poetic imagery of the sun, likened to a joyful bridegroom, resonating with Jesus' light. |
John 3 verses
John 3 29 Meaning
John 3:29 articulates John the Baptist's humble and joyful understanding of his prophetic role in relation to Jesus. He portrays Jesus as the rightful possessor of the "bride"—representing God's people or the Church—thus identifying Jesus as the "bridegroom." John, on the other hand, sees himself as merely the "friend of the bridegroom," whose sole purpose and greatest joy is fulfilled when he hears the bridegroom's voice and witnesses His success. This statement declares the preeminence of Jesus and signifies John's mission is completed and culminated in unadulterated joy, despite his diminishing influence.
John 3 29 Context
John 3:29 occurs during a period when Jesus and His disciples are in Judea, baptizing, seemingly attracting more followers than John the Baptist. This creates a point of contention and concern for John's own disciples, who come to him expressing jealousy: "Rabbi, He who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, He is baptizing, and all are going to Him" (John 3:26). John responds by explaining God's sovereignty over every man's role and by drawing on the ancient cultural custom of the Jewish wedding. His statement in verse 29 serves to correct his disciples' earthly understanding of ministry success and to clearly define his divinely appointed, preparatory, and subordinate role in God's redemptive plan, specifically affirming Jesus' Messianic identity and preeminence.
John 3 29 Word analysis
He who has the bride (ὁ ἔχων τὴν νύμφην, ho echōn tēn nymphēn):
- He who has: Indicates rightful possession and authority. Jesus is not merely associated with the bride, but holds ultimate claim and ownership over her.
- the bride (νύμφην, nymphēn): This is a significant metaphor. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as the bride of Yahweh (e.g., Isa 54:5, Jer 2:2, Hos 2:19-20). In the New Testament, the Church is frequently portrayed as the Bride of Christ (e.g., Eph 5:25-27, 2 Cor 11:2, Rev 19:7-9, Rev 21:2, 9). This points directly to Jesus as the Messiah, who establishes a new covenant relationship with God's people.
is the bridegroom (νυμφίος, nymphios):
- bridegroom: Identifies Jesus. In ancient Jewish culture, the bridegroom was the central figure of the wedding, around whom all joy and celebration revolved. This title directly attributes Messianic identity to Jesus, placing Him at the epicenter of God's redemptive plan and a New Covenant.
but the friend of the bridegroom (ὁ δὲ φίλος τοῦ νυμφίου, ho de philos tou nymphīou):
- friend of the bridegroom: This refers to a specific, vital role in Jewish wedding customs, known as the shoshbin. The shoshbin (or 'best man') was a close confidant and assistant to the bridegroom. His duties included making arrangements, negotiating dowries, helping to bring the bride to the groom, guarding the wedding chamber, and ensuring the success and joy of the wedding feast. He would stand at the chamber door, listening for the groom's voice to know the wedding was complete and rejoice at the union. This perfectly encapsulates John's role as the forerunner—preparing the way, facilitating the union, and then stepping aside, finding his ultimate joy not in his own fame, but in the success of the Messiah. This position emphasizes humility and service.
who stands and hears him:
- stands: Denotes John's fixed position and readiness. He is present, observant, and dedicated to his specific task as the shoshbin.
- hears him: Implies intimate knowledge, direct access, and obedience to the bridegroom's authority. John's authority and purpose are derived from the Bridegroom (Jesus). This listening highlights attention and submission to Jesus' voice and leading.
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice:
- rejoices greatly (χαρᾷ χαίρει, charā chaírei - literally "rejoices with joy" or "rejoices with great joy"): This is an intensive construction, highlighting deep, complete, and authentic joy. It's not a superficial happiness but a profound delight that comes from the fulfillment of God's plan, rather than personal ambition or recognition. John's joy is derived from the bridegroom's success, not his own.
- the bridegroom’s voice: Symbolizes the authority, presence, and proclamation of Jesus. The bridegroom's voice signals the completion of the wedding preparations and the start of the joyous union. For John, hearing Jesus' voice in His active ministry signifies the fulfillment of his preparatory role.
Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled:
- fulfilled (πεπλήρωται, peplērōtai): This is in the perfect tense in Greek, indicating an action completed in the past with ongoing results in the present. John's joy is complete, perfect, and enduring because the object of his mission (Jesus) has arrived and is active. His prophetic ministry has found its consummation in Jesus. It signifies the end of one era (his ministry) and the beginning of another (Jesus' full public ministry). This fulfillment signifies divine appointment and successful completion.
John 3 29 Bonus section
The Jewish wedding custom provides crucial context for fully appreciating John's statement. The shoshbin, or "friend of the bridegroom," was chosen from the bridegroom's closest friends. His role was of immense importance for the duration of the engagement period (up to a year), leading up to the seven-day wedding feast. He would arrange things, facilitate communication between the bridegroom and the bride, make sure the marriage contract was solid, and stand by during the wedding process, specifically outside the wedding chamber, to confirm the union was sealed. His great joy was only complete when he heard the bridegroom's voice coming from the chamber, signifying the marriage's consummation. This vivid metaphor allows John to articulate his temporary but essential role, which reaches its joyful fulfillment in witnessing Jesus' public ministry and gathering of the "bride" (God's people). John’s words serve as a timeless model for discipleship and ministry: our greatest joy should be in Christ’s exaltation, even if it means our own reduction in prominence.
John 3 29 Commentary
John 3:29 is a powerful theological statement about identity, purpose, and humility in ministry. John the Baptist, often regarded as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the greatest born of women (Matt 11:11), succinctly defines his position and true joy. He understands that his purpose was temporary—to announce and prepare the way for the Messiah, just as the "friend of the bridegroom" prepares for the wedding. His joy is not contingent on his own fame or the number of his disciples, but on the success and exaltation of Jesus. This counters the earthly human tendency toward jealousy and rivalry, exemplified by his own disciples, and offers a profound model of selfless service. His delight is not in what he has done, but in what Christ is doing. This statement is the foundation for his subsequent declaration in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." It is a testament to John's spiritual insight, recognizing that true joy in God's service comes from celebrating Christ's preeminence above all else.