John 3:27-30

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

²⁷ John answered, _d "A person cannot receive even one thing _e unless it is given him _f from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, _g 'I am not the Christ, but _h I have been sent before him.' ²⁹ _i The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. _j The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, _k rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. ³⁰ _l He must increase, but I must decrease." ₁

1. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 4:7
   For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
   Hebrews 5:4
   And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
   
2. Cross References
   John 6:65
   And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.
   James 1:17
   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
   
3. Cross References
   Matthew 21:25
   The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?
   
4. Cross References
   John 1:20
   He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ.
   
5. Cross References
   Malachi 3:1
   Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
   Mark 1:2
   As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way.
   Luke 1:17
   And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.
   Acts 19:4
   And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.
   
6. Cross References
   Matthew 25:1
   Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
   
7. Cross References
   Judges 14:20
   And Samson's wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.
   Song of Solomon 5:1
   I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk. Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!
   
8. Cross References
   Matthew 9:15
   And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
   
9. Cross References
   Matthew 3:11
   I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.