John 3:28 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →John reminds his disciples that he had always said he was not the Christ but the one sent before him.
What Does John 3:28 Mean?
John calls his hearers as witnesses to his own preaching: ye yourselves bear me witness. From the beginning he had refused the highest title — I am not the Christ (John 1:20) — claiming only the herald's place, sent before him to make ready a people.
The forerunner's greatness lay in knowing exactly what he was and was not. He could not be wounded by Jesus' rise, because his whole errand had pointed to it; the crowds going to Christ meant his message had succeeded. Every servant of God inherits John's commission in miniature — sent before him into homes, friendships, and congregations — so that when hearts pass us on their way to Jesus, we count it success and not loss.
John 3:28 in the Original Language
christos (Χριστός), 'Christ' -- the Anointed One, the Greek rendering of Messiah.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 3:28
What does John 3:28 mean?
John reminds his disciples that he had always said he was not the Christ but the one sent before him.