(Note: This Gospel is used in those regions where the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on a Sunday rather than on January 6.)

Commentary on John 3:22-30

In this passage from John’s Gospel we are given one of the last appearances of John the Baptist before his arrest. It is still part of the transition from the time of his preaching to Jesus’ taking centre stage.

Both Jesus, with his disciples, and John are in the region of Judaea, the southern province where Jerusalem is situated. John, we are told, is at a place called Aenon (a place whose location is not now known). There was plenty of water there, so it was suitable for baptism.

Apparently a dispute had arisen “between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.” The disciples then came to John to tell him that Jesus was also baptising, and that large crowds were going to him. Clearly, they felt somewhat upset that their own master was being upstaged.

But it did not bother John in the least:

No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.

In other words, each person has their own calling from God, and the only thing that matters is that they respond to that calling. John reminds his disciples that he had said already he was not the Messiah, but that he had been sent to prepare the way for the Messiah’s coming. That was John’s calling and the one he had responded to.

He then gives an example which expresses his relationship with Jesus:

He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.

In this context, the “friend of the bridegroom” is the ‘best man’, or the shoshben of Jewish tradition—the one who arranges the wedding. The idea of rivalry between him and the groom would not make sense. On the contrary, the ‘best man’ is delighted to see bride and groom happy together. John concludes by saying:

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John knows perfectly well—and fully accepts—his secondary role. There was a time when he was in the limelight, but now he steps aside and allows Jesus to be the centre.

This can apply to us in our evangelising work for the Christian community. Once we see that Jesus has fully entered a person’s life, it is for us to draw back. We must never try to be possessive. Our role is to let go and let God be the one who guides people.