Matthew 3:1 Cross References - JMNT

¹ Now in those days [i.e., years later, when Jesus would have come to be known as a Nazarene], John, the Immerser (or: Baptist; the one who immerses), is repeatedly coming to be at the side, progressively birthing himself (= making an appearance) in the midst of the wilderness (within the uninhabited area; in the desert) of the Judean [district], continually making public proclamation as a herald,

⁸ "Produce, then, fruit which has a corresponding value to, and is appropriate of, a change in thinking and attitude, as well as a turn [toward God].

⁷ Now with these men going their way, Jesus started saying to the crowds, concerning John, "What did you people go out into the wilderness to gaze (or: gawk) at and watch? A reed being constantly shaken (cause to move to and fro) by a wind?

¹¹ "Truly, I am now saying to you folks, among those born of women there has not been raised up a person greater than John the Immerser (the baptizer; the Baptist). Yet the one of lesser importance (or: the least; the smaller) within the reign of the heavens (or: kingdom of the atmospheres) constantly exists being greater than him.

² and said to his court servants and attendants, "This person is John, the immerser (the one baptizing) – he was raised from the dead ones, and through this the powerful works (exhibitions and deeds of power) are constantly operating within him!" ³ You see, on arresting John and keeping him in custody, Herod bound and put [him] away in prison (or: jail) because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, ⁴ for John kept on saying to him, "It is not allowed by the Law or our custom for you to continue possessing (having and holding) her!" ⁵ However, although constantly wanting and intending to at once kill him, he was made afraid by the crowd, because they continued holding (= regarding) him as a prophet. ⁶ Now during the occurring of Herod's birthday celebration, the daughter of Herodias danced within the midst – and thus, she captivated and gave pleasure to Herod, ⁷ because of which, with an oath, he made a binding statement – to at once give to her whatever she would request (ask; demand)! ⁸ So she, under her mother's prompting (or: by the pushing and inciting of her mother), is then saying, "Give to me here, upon a platter (or: a pine board), the head of John the immerser (baptist)!" ⁹ And though being sorry and grieved (or: distressed), the king – because of the oaths and the people continuing in reclining at table with [him] – commanded (ordered) [it] to be given. ¹⁰ And thus sending [the directive], he beheaded John within the prison (or: jail). ¹¹ Then his head was brought (or: carried) upon a platter (or: pine board) and was given to the girl, and she brought (or: carried) [it] to her mother. ¹² And upon approaching, his disciples removed his corpse and buried (or: entombed) it (or: him), and then coming, they reported to Jesus what had happened. ¹³ Now upon hearing [this], Jesus withdrew back from that place, in a small boat, into an isolated (or: uninhabited; wilderness; lonely) place – in accord with what was His own (or: corresponding to His own [thoughts and feelings]; or: privately). And yet, upon hearing [of His departure], the crowds followed Him on foot, away from the cities. ¹⁴ And then, upon going out from [His secluded location], He saw [the] large crowd – and He felt compassion upon (was moved in His gut over) them – so He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed the folks among them who were sick, ailing or without strength.

¹⁴ So they said, "Well some, on the one hand, [say] John the Immerser (Baptist), yet other folks [say] Elijah. But then, different people [are saying] Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

¹² "Yet, I am continuing in telling you men that Elijah already comes and they do not recognize (or: fully know) Him. But even more, they perform on Him as many things as they wish and intend. (or: ... Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but rather, they did in him as much as they wanted.) In this way, even the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = Adam's Son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; or: the Human Being) is progressively about to continue experiencing [things] by them, even suffering under them." ¹³ At that point, the disciples put it together that He spoke to them about John the Immerser (or: baptist).

²⁵ "The immersion (baptism; = ceremonial washing) which pertained to and was done by John – from what source or origin was it being; from out of heaven (or: from [the] Atmosphere), or from out of the midst of humans (mankind; people)?" Now they began reasoning and discussing among themselves, one after another saying, "If we should say, 'From out of heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why (Through what cause or situation) did you not trust or put faith in him?' ²⁶ "Yet if we should say, 'From out of humans,' we continue fearing about the crowd (= are afraid of how the crowd might react), for they all are in the habit of holding John as a prophet." ²⁷ And so, giving a determined reply to Jesus, they said, "We have not seen and so we do not know (or: We are not aware)." He also affirms to them, "Neither am I, Myself, laying it out or saying to you folks within what kind of authority (right; privilege; customary law) I continue to do these things.

³² "You see, John came toward you men within the path (or: on the road) of fairness and equity, in accord with the way pointed out, and in the right relationship which pertains to justice – and you men did not trust him or put your faith in him (or: you did not believe him). However, the tax collectors and the prostitutes trusted him (put their faith in him; believed him), yet you men – upon seeing [this] – still did not change your thoughts or interests (or: regret your behavior and think better of it) [so as] to trust in him (put faith in and believe him).

³ "A voice! One repeatedly crying out (shouting; exulting; exclaiming; imploring): 'Within the midst of the wilderness (desert; desolate place; abandoned and uninhabited region) you folks at once prepare and make ready the road of [the] Lord (the path whose source is [Yahweh]; the Way whose character is that of, and which pertains to, [the] Owner [= Yahweh])! Be progressively constructing (or: Make it a habit of making) His highway (thoroughfare) well-placed and straight.'" (or: "A sound! One is continuously crying out within the midst of the desert: ... ") [Isa. 40:3] ⁴ John – the one habitually baptizing (immersing; dipping) – came into the scene within the wilderness (or: came to be in the uninhabited area of the desert), repeatedly heralding the proclamation of a baptism (an immersion) which signifies, is connected to, and has the characteristics of a change of thinking [= recognition of being headed in the wrong direction] (a change of perception, frame of mind and mode of thought; a change of understanding; = a new attitude involving trust and obedience) and a turning back [to Yahweh, which leads] into an abandoning of and divorcing from failures (a sending-away of errors; a letting-go of sins; a release from and a dismissal of mistakes; a letting-flow-away of situations where the target was missed). ⁵ And all the Judean territory (province; region; country) – even all the people of Jerusalem – kept on traveling out to him in a steady stream, [to be] face to face with him, and were one by one being immersed (baptized) by him within the midst of the Jordan River, while they were continuing in openly confessing-out and acknowledging their failures (mistakes; errors; sins; times of being out of line and falling short of the goal). ⁶ Now John was by habit being one who had dressed himself in a garment woven of camel's hair with a leather belt (or: a girdle made of an animal skin) around his waist and loins, and was customarily eating locusts (or: [dried] grasshoppers) and wild honey [as his food]. ⁷ And he had kept on making a loud public proclamation, as a herald, repeatedly saying, "Behind me the One (or: the Man) stronger than me is progressively approaching (steadily coming) – of Whom I am not (do not exist being) of adequate size or sufficient strength to be competent to, while stooping down, loose and unfasten the strap (thong; lace) of His sandals. ⁸ "I myself, indeed, immerse (or: baptized) you folks within water, yet He Himself will proceed immerse and saturating (or: baptizing) you in a set-apart spirit (or: within [the] Holy Spirit; within a Holy Wind; in a set-apart Breath-effect; in union with a sacred attitude)."

¹⁵ and constantly saying, "The season and appointed situation has been fulfilled (The fertile moment has been filled up and now continues full and is now ripe) and God's kingdom (the reigning and ruling of God as King; God's activity of exercising sovereignty) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)! You folks be progressively and continuously changing your thinking – change your perceptions, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding; change your direction and turn back [toward God] – and be progressively believing while constantly placing your trust in the good news (the message of goodness, ease and wellness)!"

¹⁶ Yet Herod, upon hearing [it], kept on saying, "This John, whom I myself beheaded, was raised up." ¹⁷ You see, Herod himself, sending [agents] off (dispatching [men]), seized and arrested John and bound him in prison (within the midst of a jail) because of Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother, because [Herod] married her. ¹⁸ Thus John was repeatedly saying to (or: in regard to) Herod, "It is not proper, permissible or lawful (= it violates custom and Torah) for you to continue having and holding (possessing) your brother's wife." ¹⁹ Now Herodias was habitually nursing a grudge against him (or: constantly had it in for him; kept on hemming him in; was repeatedly entangling him) and was constantly intending (designing; willing; resolving; purposing; wanting) to kill him off, and continued powerless and unable, ²⁰ for Herod continued fearing (perhaps: reverencing) John, having seen and thus knowing him [to be] a fair (equitable; in accord with the way pointed out; a just) and set-apart (holy) man, so he continued with a consorted effort to watch over and guard him (keep him safe and sound). And after hearing many things in regard to him (or: So often hearing from him), he became perplexed and continued hesitating, at a loss to decide. And yet, he gladly continued hearing of him (or: from him; = what he had to say; [or, with A C D & other MSS: And upon hearing him, he continued doing many things and hearing him with pleasure]). ²¹ And an opportune (convenient; strategic) day was happening (coming to be), when Herod, for his birthday celebration, made a formal dinner (banquet) for his great men (= nobles; lords; courtiers; high dignitaries; top-ranking officials), the military tribunes (commanders of a thousand men) and the foremost people (= leading citizens) of the Galilee [district]. ²² And then at the entering of the daughter of this same Herodias, and upon [her] dancing, she charmed and gave pleasure to Herod and to those lying back [at dinner] with him. So now the king said to the young maiden (girl; young woman), "Request of me at once whatever you may presently be wanting (could normally be desiring; should habitually be intending; can continue resolving with design and purpose), and I will proceed giving [it] to you." ²³ Then he earnestly (or: vehemently) swore an oath (put himself under oath) – as one touching some sacred object – to her, "Whatever you may ask (request of) me, I will give [it] to you – up to half of my kingdom!" ²⁴ So, on coming out, she said to her mother, "What should I request (demand; ask; perhaps = claim) for myself?" The woman replied, "The head of John, the one constantly baptizing (immersing)." ²⁵ And so, on entering – with immediate haste toward the king – she made request (demanded; asked) for herself, saying, "I am presently desiring (wanting) that you here and now should instantly give to me the head of John, the one who baptizes (immerses), upon a plank (board; or: plate; platter)." ²⁶ And the king, becoming engulfed with grief (sorrow-stricken), did not want (desire; purpose) to displace her (to upset her; to set her aside; to thwart, reject, refuse or repudiate her; perhaps = disappoint or disregard her) because of the oaths and those still reclining (lying back) [while dining with him]. (or: And the king becoming greatly pained because of the vows...) ²⁷ So the king immediately issued the order, sending off a [soldier of his personal] guard (one who also acted as a sentinel, a spy or an executioner) to bring his head. ²⁸ And going off, he beheaded him within the prison (or: jail) then brought his head upon a plank (board; plate; platter) and gave it to the maiden (young woman), and then the young maiden gave it to her mother. ²⁹ Then his disciples, upon hearing of it, came, lifted up and carried away his corpse, then placed it within a memorial tomb.

¹³ So the agent said to him, "Stop fearing (or: Do not continue being afraid), Zechariah, because your request in regard to your need was listened to – upon [its] entering into hearing – and so your wife, Elizabeth, will proceed in generating and giving birth to a son by and for you, and you will proceed calling his name 'John,' ¹⁴ "and he will continue being a joy and an extreme exultation to you (or: and there will progressively be joy and exceeding elation to and for you), and upon [the occasion of] his birth many people will progressively find joy and will continue rejoicing. ¹⁵ "You see, he will continue being great (or: = important) in the sight of (or: before) [the] Lord [= Yahweh], and he should under no circumstances drink wine or [other] strong drink (= intoxicating beverage). Also, he will be continuously filled with a set-apart breath-effect (or: holy spirit; a separated and consecrated wind; [the] Holy Spirit; a sacred Attitude) still [not] out from (or: still from the midst of) his mother's womb. ¹⁶ "Later, he will proceed turning many of the sons (= people) of Israel back upon [the] Lord [= Yahweh] their God. ¹⁷ "And so, he himself will continue advancing in His presence (or: going forward in His sight) – within and in union with a breath-effect (or: wind) and ability having the character and qualities of Elijah (or: in association with Elijah's spirit and power; or: in an attitude and an ability which is Elijah [= God is Yah]) – ‘to turn back hearts of fathers upon children,’ [Mal. 3:23] and stubborn folks (or: incompliant ones; unpersuaded people) in a thoughtful (sensible; prudent) frame of mind which has the character and qualities of fairness, equity, rightwised relationships, and justice which pertain to the Way pointed out: to prepare and make a people having been fully formed into vessels and utensils, as well as being completely furnished and supplied with equipment, by, for and in [the] Lord [= Yahweh]."

⁷⁶ "Now you also, little boy, will proceed being called a prophet of [the] Most High, for you will continue to ‘go your way before and in the sight and presence of [the] Lord [= Yahweh], to prepare and make ready His paths (roads; ways) ’: [Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40:3]

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the governmental leadership (or: rule) of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate continued leading the government (performed as governor) of the Judean [district] and Herod filled the provincial office of 'tetrarch' (= ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of the Galilee [district] – yet Philip, his brother, continued ruling as 'tetrarch' of the province of Iturea and Trachonitis, as well as Lysanias continuing rule as 'tetrarch' of Abilene – ² on the [occasion and term of the priesthood of] chief (or: ranking) priests, Annas and Caiaphas, a gush-effect which was God (or: the result of a flow from God; God’s spoken word; a declaration from God) came into existence (came to be; was birthed) upon John, son of Zechariah, within the midst of the wilderness (the uninhabited, desolate place). ³ And so he came (or: went) into all [the] region around the Jordan [River], repeatedly making a public proclamation heralding an immersion (or: baptism) of a change of mind and way of thinking [which also implied a return to God], into a flowing-away of failures (a sending-away of mistakes; a letting-go and release of failed attempts to hit the target and attain the goal; abandonment of sins; a divorce from, and a forgiveness of, errors). ⁴ As it has been and stands written within the scroll of [the] words of Isaiah the prophet, "A voice (or: sound) of someone repeatedly exclaiming and imploring loudly within the midst of the wilderness (the desolate place): 'You people at once make ready (or: 'Within the wilderness [now] prepare) the Way (Road) of [the] Lord [= Yahweh's Path]! Be progressively making His worn thoroughfares and highways straight. ⁵ 'Every ravine (or: gully; place narrowly enclosed by cliffs) will be progressively filled, and every mountain and hill (or: all hill country and rising ground) will continue being made low. Then the crooked things (or: places) will proceed in being [made] into straight ones, and rough and uneven places, into smooth roads! ⁶ 'Then all flesh will proceed in seeing God's Deliverance (Salvation; Rescue; health and wholeness; Returning [all; things] to the original state and condition)!'" [Isa. 40:3-5] ⁷ However, he [i.e., John] kept on saying to the crowds that were one after another going their way out to be immersed by him, " [You] offsprings (or: Results of the births) of poisonous snakes (vipers), who (or: what) privately suggested (or: secretly showed; pointed out under [cover]) to you folks to be at once taking flight (fleeing) away from the progressively impending inherent fervor (internal swelling towards fruition; agitation of soul; or: anger; wrath)? ⁸ "Be at once, then, producing fruit of corresponding value to (or: of equal worth of; worthy of) the aforementioned change of mind and way of thinking! And so, you should not start (or: begin) to be repeatedly saying among yourselves, 'We continue having Abraham [as; for] a father,' for I am now saying to you folks that God continues able (constantly has power) to raise up children to (or: for) Abraham from out of the midst of these stones! ⁹ "Now the ax already continues lying [positioned with its aim] toward the root of the trees. So then, every tree not seasonally producing beautiful (fine; ideal; choice) fruit is customarily cut out [of the orchard] and is regularly being tossed into a fire [to heat or to cook]." ¹⁰ And so the crowds began putting questions to him, one after another saying, "What, then, should we be doing?" ¹¹ So, giving a decided reply, he began saying to them, "The person habitually having two tunics (undergarments), let him at once share with the one not normally having [one]; and the person habitually having things to eat (food), let him regularly do likewise." ¹² Now tax collectors (or: government revenue contractors; customs agents) also came to be immersed (baptized), and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we be doing?" ¹³ So he said to them, "Be habitually practicing (thus: collecting, demanding or exacting) nothing more besides the thing having been precisely arranged and prescribed for you (= charge nothing beyond the standard rates)." ¹⁴ And then soldiers (men serving in the army) also began putting questions to him, as a group saying, "What should we also be doing?" And he said to them, "You men should not at any time violently shake anyone (thus, also: intimidate, harass or extort from anyone), nor should you at any time inform on, blackmail or falsely accuse [people]. Also, be habitually content and satisfied with your subsistence rations and pay." ¹⁵ Now during the people's continued anticipation – keeping an eye open and directed forward in watchful expectation – [and] while everyone kept on reasoning and debating in their hearts concerning John, whether perchance he might be the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah), ¹⁶ John gave a decided response, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, on the one hand am in the process of immersing (baptizing) you folks in (or: with) water. Yet on the other hand, the Person stronger than I is now progressively coming – the lace (or: strap; thong) of Whose sandals I am not competent (fit; sufficient) to loosen or untie. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (or: baptizing) you folks within the midst of set-apart Spirit (or: set-apart spirit; sacred attitude; Holy Breath-effect) and (or: even) Fire – ¹⁷ "Whose winnowing shovel (or: fork) [is] in His hand to thoroughly clean [other MSS: and He will thoroughly cleanse] His threshing floor and to gather together [with other MSS: He will collect] the grain into His storehouse (granary; barn) – but then He will progressively burn down (or: up) the chaff (husks and straw; = the useless remains of the dead plants) with (or: in) an inextinguishable Fire." [comment: the same fire as in vs. 16; cf 1 Cor. 3:7-17] ¹⁸ Then, indeed, constantly calling the people alongside to give encouragement, exhortation and assistance, he kept on bringing and announcing many and different things as good news of ease and wellness. ¹⁹ Now Herod, the tetrarch (district ruler) – being repeatedly put to the proof (or: being constantly questioned, as in a cross-examination, and refuted, exposed, convicted and treated with contempt) by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, as well as about all [the] worthless, malicious and wicked things which Herod did and does – ²⁰ added this also, upon everything [he had done]: he locked down John within the midst of a prison (or: jail).

²⁴ So, after the departing of John's agents (messengers), He began to continue saying to the crowds, concerning John, "What did you folks go out into the wilderness (desert; desolate place) to be watching? A reed being constantly shaken by a wind?

⁶ A man came to be (was birthed), being one having been sent forth with a mission, as a representative, from God’s side (or: having been commissioned as an emissary and sent forth from beside God; having been sent forth to the side, as an envoy, whose source was God); a name for him: John. ⁷ This one came into a testimony (or: went to witness; came for evidence), to the end that he may give testimony (be a witness; show evidence) about The Light, so that all humanity (or: everyone) would at some point come to believe and trust through him (or: by means of it). ⁸ That person (= He) was not The Light, but rather [he came] so that he could give testimony (would be a witness; should present evidence) about The Light.

¹⁵ John is continuing witnessing about It (or: Him) and has cried out, repeatedly saying, "This One was the One of Whom I said, 'The One progressively coming behind me has come to be in front of me (or: has taken precedence of me),' because He was existing first, before me (or: ‘that He was first [in place and station] in regard to me’)," ¹⁶ because we all at some point receive (take with our hands) from out of the result of His filling (or: the effect of Its full contents; that which fills Him up): even grace in the place of grace (or: favor corresponding to and facing favor; a [new fresh] gracious favor in the place of and replacing [the previous] gracious favor; [one] joyous favor after and exchanged for [another] joyous favor), ¹⁷ because the Law was given through Moses, yet grace and truth are birthed (or: joyous favor and reality came to be) through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one at any time has seen God. The only-begotten (uniquely-born) God [other MSS: Son], the One continuously existing, [moving, directed and leading] into the Father’s place of safety and intimacy (bosom; breast; chest; folds of a garment; inlet or bay), that One interprets and explains by unfolding and bringing [Him] out. ¹⁹ And this is (or: continues being) the testimony of John (the witness having its source in John), when the [religious authorities of the] Jews sent forth the priests and the Levites [note: thus, these may have included some Sadducees] as emissaries out of Jerusalem toward (or: to) him – to the end that they may ask him, "You, who are you?" – ²⁰ and he confessed and did not deny, even agreed that, "I am not the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah)." ²¹ And so they asked him, "What, then? Are you Elijah?" And then he continues saying, "I am not." "Are you The Prophet?" Then he distinctly replied, "No!" ²² Therefore they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give a decided reply to the ones sending us – what are you in the habit of saying about yourself?" ²³ He affirmed, "I am a voice (or: [the] sound) of one repeatedly calling out loudly (crying out; exclaiming; imploring) within the desolate place (the wilderness; the uninhabited region; the lonely place), 'Straighten the way of [the] Lord (the Lord’s road; the path pertaining to [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ, the Messiah]) (or: habitually shouting, ‘Make straight in the wilderness the way originating in [the] Owner [= Yahweh or Christ] ’)!' [Isa. 40:3] just as Isaiah, the prophet, said." ²⁴ Now the folks having been sent as emissaries were [sent] from the Pharisees. ²⁵ And then they asked him, and said to him, "Why, then, are you continuously immersing (or: baptizing), since (or: if) you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor The Prophet?" [note: by immersing folks, either John was treating the Jews as non-Jewish proselytes, or else it should be the Messiah, or His representative, initiating Israel into the new Age – if all the Jews were now supposed to be immersed] ²⁶ John replies distinctly to them, saying, "I am repeatedly immersing (baptizing) within water. He, Whom you men have not seen or perceived, and have no knowledge of or acquaintance with, has stood in your midst [other MSS: continues presently standing in your midst]. ²⁷ "He is the very One, Who, progressively coming behind me, has come to be in front of me, of Whom I am not worthy (equal of value) that I should loose the lace (strap; thong) of His sandal." ²⁸ These things occurred (or: came into being) in Bethany, on the other side of the Jordan, where John was living his life (or: was existing), repeatedly immersing. ²⁹ The next day (or: On the morrow) he is looking at and observing Jesus progressively coming toward him, and he begins saying, "Look! (Pay attention, see and perceive)! God’s Lamb (or: the Lamb from God; the Lamb having the character and qualities of God; or, in apposition: the Lamb which is God), the One continuously lifting up and progressively carrying away the Sin of the world, and removing the sin which belongs to and is a part of the System (or: habitually picking up and taking away the failure and error brought on by the organized system; progressively removing the falling short and the missing of the goal from the world of culture, religion, economy and government [= from humanity and secular society])! ³⁰ "This One is He over whose situation [other MSS: concerning Whom] I said, 'An adult male is progressively coming behind me Who has come to be in front of me,' because he was existing before me (or: was continuously being first in rank and importance in regard to me). ³¹ "And I had not seen Him to know, recognize or be aware of Him, but nevertheless, to the end that He may be brought to light in (or: for) Israel (or: be manifested to Israel) – because of this – I came continuously immersing (or: baptizing) in water." ³² And John testified (gave witness), repeatedly saying that, "I have viewed and continued gazing at, so that I can now visualize, the Spirit progressively stepping down (or: the Breath-effect continuously descending), as a dove, forth from out of [the] atmosphere (or: as a pigeon out of the sky, or from heaven), and It remains and dwells upon Him (or: It abode upon Him). ³³ "And yet, I had not seen Him to know or be aware of Him! But further, the One sending me to be habitually immersing (baptizing) in water, that One said to me, 'Upon whomever you may see the Spirit progressively stepping down (or: the Breath-effect continuously descending) and then continuously remaining (dwelling; abiding) upon Him, this One is (continuously exists being) the One progressively (or: habitually) immersing (or: baptizing) within a set-apart spirit (or: in [the] Holy Spirit; in union with the Sacred Breath).' ³⁴ "And so I myself have seen and given witness, and thus now bear testimony, that this One is God’s Son (or: continuously exists being the Son which is God; or: the Son having the character and qualities of God; or: the Son from God)." ³⁵ The next day (or: On the morrow) John, and two from among his disciples, again had taken a stand and now stood [there]. ³⁶ Later, gazing upon Jesus progressively walking around, he is saying, "Look (Pay attention and perceive; See and consider)! God’s Lamb (or: The Lamb whose origin is God; or: the Lamb which is God)."

²⁷ John deliberated in reply and says, "Man continues without ability (or: remains unable) to be receiving anything, unless it may have been existing being having been given to him from out of the heaven (or: A man is continually powerless to lay hold of and take anything, unless he was possibly being one having been given [ability] from out of the atmosphere and heaven in him). ²⁸ "You folks, yourselves, repeatedly bear me witness (or: habitually testify for me) that I myself said, 'I am not the Christ (the Anointed One)!' But rather that, 'I am one having been sent forth as an emissary (one sent forth with a mission as a representative) in front of That One.' ²⁹ "The One continually holding (or: constantly having) the bride is (exists being) a Bridegroom (or: [the] Bridegroom). Yet the friend of the Bridegroom – the man having taken a stand, and continuing standing, and continuously listening and hearing from Him in joy – is constantly rejoicing because of the Bridegroom’s voice! This joy – the one [that is] mine – has therefore been fulfilled (or: This, then, my joy, has been made full). ³⁰ "It is necessary and binding for That One to be progressively growing and increasing, yet for me to be progressively less (or: continually made inferior). ³¹ "The One repeatedly coming back again from above (or: habitually going again to a higher place) is above upon all people (or: constantly exists being up over upon all things). The person continuously being forth from out of the earth [as a source] is (or: constantly exists being) from out of the earth, and is habitually speaking forth from out of the earth. The One continuously coming (or: habitually going; repeatedly coming and progressively going) forth from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the atmosphere) is, and constantly exists being, above upon all people (or: up over upon all things). ³² "What He has seen and hears (or: heard), to this He continuously bears witness (or: is repeatedly testifying and giving evidence), and yet no one is presently grasping (or: habitually takes in hand; continues receiving) His witness (or: testimony; evidence). ³³ "The one receiving (grasping; taking in hand; getting hold of) His witness (or: testimony; evidence) certifies – by setting a seal (= giving attestation) – that God is true (real; genuine; truthful), ³⁴ "for He Whom God sends forth with a mission (dispatches as an Emissary and Representative) habitually is speaking the gush-effects from God (the results of the flows of God; God's declarations or sayings), for God is habitually (or: continuously) giving the Spirit (Breath; or: Attitude) [and] not from out of a measure (= not by a measured portion or limit; = without measure and without limitation). ³⁵ "The Father continuously loves the Son, and He has given all humanity (or, as a neuter: all things) [to Him] so that He has it (or: them) as a gift within His hand. ³⁶ "The one habitually trusting (or: continuously going on confidently believing with loyalty) into the Son is now constantly holding and progressively having eonian life (life having the characteristics and qualities of the sphere of the Age; life of and for the ages; eon-lasting life; life whose source is the Age [of Messiah]). Yet the person now continuing being unpersuaded by the Son (or: presently being constantly incompliant, disobedient or disbelieving to the Son; being repeatedly stubborn toward the Son) will not be catching sight of (seeing; observing; perceiving) [this] life. To the contrary, God’s inherent fervor (teeming passion and swelling desire; mental bent and natural impulse; propensity and disposition; or: anger, wrath and indignation) is continuously remaining (is now habitually dwelling and abiding) upon him." [note: vss. 31-36 may be narrative by the author, John, and not continued sayings of the Baptist]

²² "beginning from the immersion originated by John (or: John's baptism) until the day in which He was taken back up (or: received again), away from us – one of these is to become a witness (one who gives testimony and presents evidence) together with us, in regard to His resurrection."

²⁴ "John's previous heralding – before His personal entrance – was publicly proclaiming an immersion (a dipping; a baptism) which pertained to a change of mind (a change in thinking and life, which also involved a return of their focus to Yahweh) to and for all the people [of] Israel. ²⁵ "Yet as John continued fulfilling [his own] race course (= completed [his] career), he kept on repeatedly saying, 'What or who are you people continuing to secretly think (or: repeatedly conjecturing; presently supposing) me to be? I myself am not [what you think] (or: not [the One])! To the contrary, look and consider! One is progressively coming – after me – the sandals of Whose feet, I am not worthy to loosen or untie.'

³ So he said, "Into what, therefore (or: then), were you folks immersed (or: baptized)?" And they said, "Into the immersion that originated with (or: which had the character of and pertained to; which was carried out by) John." ⁴ Yet Paul said, "John immersed (or: baptized) [into] an immersion (a baptism) of a change of thinking for the people, repeatedly saying that they could and should at once put their trust in, believe and place loyalty into the One progressively coming after him – that is, into Jesus."