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JOHN 3:29 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 3:28John 3:30
“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.”
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete' — the nuptial metaphor transforms the Baptist's role to friend of the bridegroom (paranymphos), attending the wedding's joyous consummation rather than featuring in it. The metaphor's import: Jesus is the bridegroom, and the community/church is the bride; the Baptist's joy in hearing the bridegroom's voice (presently attending Jesus) is complete precisely because his role is fulfilled when the chief figure appears. The image radiantly portrays John's willing subordination as joy rather than loss.

Church Fathers on John 3:29

John, on this question being raised, does not rebuke his disciples, for fear they might separate, and turn to some other school, but replies gently, John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven; as if he said, No wonder that Christ does such excellent works, and that all men come to Him; when He Who does it all is God. Human efforts are easily seen through, are feeble, and short-lived. These are not such: they are not therefore of…

Chrysostom · 4th century

I am a mere man, and have received all from heaven, and therefore think not that, because it has been given me to be somewhat, I am so foolish as to spear: against the truth.

Augustine · 4th century · Or perhaps John is speaking here of himself

Who are you then, since you are not the Christ, and who is He to Whom you bear witness? John replies, He is the Bridegroom; I am the friend of the Bridegroom, sent to prepare the Bride for His approach: He that has the Bride, is the Bridegroom. By the Bride he means the Church, gathered from amongst all nations; a Virgin in purity of heart, in perfection of love, in the bond of peace, in chastity of mind and body; in the unity of the Catholic faith; for in vain is she a…

Bede · 8th century
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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