John 3:29 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John compares himself to the friend of the bridegroom, who rejoices at the bridegroom's voice; his joy is now fulfilled.
What Does John 3:29 Mean?
John reaches for a wedding picture. The bride belongs to the bridegroom alone; the friend of the bridegroom — the trusted companion who arranged the wedding and attended him — claims nothing for himself, but stands listening, and the sound of the bridegroom's voice fills him with joy. That voice, John says, is now in the land: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
In the prophets, God is the bridegroom and his people the bride (Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20); John hands the wedding to Jesus, to whom the gathering people rightly belong. Here is the secret of unenvious gladness: joy not in being preferred, but in loving the One the feast is for. The heart that learns the friend's joy is beyond the reach of rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 3:29
What does John 3:29 mean?
John compares himself to the friend of the bridegroom, who rejoices at the bridegroom's voice; his joy is now fulfilled.