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After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.
Verse 22. And baptized. Not Christ himself, but his disciples. See chapter 4:2. Witham.
John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;
Verse 23. Salem. A town situated upon the river Jordan, where formerly Melchisedech reigned. Ven. Bede.
for John was not yet thrown into prison.
Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.
They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
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 my joy is made full.
Verse 29. He of whom you complain is the bridegroom, and I am the friend of the bridegroom, sent before to prepare his bride; that is, to collect for him a Church from all nations. Alcuin.—The servants of the bridegroom do not rejoice in the same manner as his friends: I am his friend, and I rejoice with very great joy, because of the bridegroom’s voice. He must increase, and I must decrease; by which words the great precursor demonstrates to the world, that not the least envy with regard to his divine Master rankles in his heart; but on the contrary, that he should be happy to see all his followers desert him, to run to Jesus Christ. Saint John Chrysostom
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Verse 30. He (Christ) must increase, not in virtue and perfection, with which he is replenished, but in the opinion of the world, when they begin to know him, and believe in him: and in like manner, I must be diminished, when they know how much he is above me. Witham.