Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

John 3:27–29

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
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.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

3 selected · 33 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 62 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 27

  1. James 1:17Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

  2. 1 Corinthians 4:7Rank 2 from verse 27
    Open

    7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

  3. 1 Corinthians 15:10Rank 3 from verse 27
    Open

    10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  4. 1 Peter 4:10–11Rank 4 from verse 27
    Open

    10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

    11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  5. 1 Corinthians 2:12–14Rank 5 from verse 27
    Open

    12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

    13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

    14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

  6. Amos 7:15Rank 6 from verse 27
    Open

    15And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

  7. Jeremiah 1:5Rank 7 from verse 27
    Open

    5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

  8. Matthew 25:15Rank 8 from verse 27
    Open

    15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

  9. Ephesians 3:7–8Rank 9 from verse 27
    Open

    7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

    8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  10. Hebrews 5:4–5Rank 10 from verse 27
    Open

    4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

    5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

  11. Jeremiah 17:16Rank 11 from verse 27
    Open

    16As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

  12. Numbers 17:5Rank 12 from verse 27
    Open

    5And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

  13. Matthew 21:25Rank 13 from verse 27
    Open

    25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

  14. 1 Timothy 2:7Rank 14 from verse 27
    Open

    7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

  15. Mark 11:30–31Rank 15 from verse 27
    Open

    30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

    31And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

  16. Romans 12:6Rank 16 from verse 27
    Open

    6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

  17. 1 Chronicles 28:4–5Rank 17 from verse 27
    Open

    4Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:

    5And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

  18. Mark 13:34Rank 18 from verse 27
    Open

    34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

  19. Numbers 16:9–11Rank 19 from verse 27
    Open

    9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

    10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

    11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

  20. 1 Corinthians 12:11Rank 20 from verse 27
    Open

    11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

  21. 1 Corinthians 3:5Rank 21 from verse 27
    Open

    5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

  22. Ephesians 1:1Rank 22 from verse 27
    Open

    1PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

  23. Romans 1:5Rank 23 from verse 27
    Open

    5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

  24. 1 Corinthians 1:1Rank 24 from verse 27
    Open

    1PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

  25. Galatians 1:1Rank 25 from verse 27
    Open

    1PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

From verse 28

  1. John 1:20Rank 1 from verse 28
    Open

    20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

  2. John 1:23Rank 2 from verse 28
    Open

    23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

  3. Luke 1:16–17Rank 3 from verse 28
    Open

    16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

    17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

  4. Matthew 3:11–12Rank 4 from verse 28
    Open

    11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

    12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

  5. John 1:25Rank 5 from verse 28
    Open

    25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

  6. Malachi 3:1Rank 6 from verse 28
    Open

    1BEHOLD, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

  7. Luke 1:76Rank 7 from verse 28
    Open

    76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

  8. Mark 1:2–3Rank 8 from verse 28
    Open

    2As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

    3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  9. Matthew 3:3Rank 9 from verse 28
    Open

    3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  10. Luke 3:4–6Rank 10 from verse 28
    Open

    4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

    5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

    6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

  11. Malachi 4:4–5Rank 11 from verse 28
    Open

    4¶ Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

    5¶ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

  12. John 1:27Rank 12 from verse 28
    Open

    27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

From verse 29

  1. Ephesians 5:25–27Rank 1 from verse 29
    Open

    25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

    26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

    27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

  2. Hosea 2:19Rank 2 from verse 29
    Open

    19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

  3. Isaiah 54:5Rank 3 from verse 29
    Open

    5For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  4. Matthew 9:15Rank 4 from verse 29
    Open

    15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

  5. Ezekiel 16:8Rank 5 from verse 29
    Open

    8Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.

  6. Revelation 19:7–9Rank 6 from verse 29
    Open

    7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

    8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

    9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

  7. Revelation 21:9Rank 7 from verse 29
    Open

    9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

  8. Philippians 2:2Rank 8 from verse 29
    Open

    2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

  9. 2 Corinthians 11:2Rank 9 from verse 29
    Open

    2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

  10. John 16:24Rank 10 from verse 29
    Open

    24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

  11. 1 John 1:4Rank 11 from verse 29
    Open

    4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

  12. Luke 15:6Rank 12 from verse 29
    Open

    6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

  13. Song of Solomon 5:1Rank 13 from verse 29
    Open

    1I AM come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

  14. Luke 2:10–14Rank 14 from verse 29
    Open

    10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

    12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

    13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

    14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  15. Matthew 25:1Rank 15 from verse 29
    Open

    1THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

  16. Song of Solomon 4:8–12Rank 16 from verse 29
    Open

    8¶ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

    9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.

    10How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

    11Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

    12A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

  17. Isaiah 62:4–5Rank 17 from verse 29
    Open

    4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

    5¶ For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

  18. Isaiah 66:11Rank 18 from verse 29
    Open

    11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

  19. Jeremiah 2:2Rank 19 from verse 29
    Open

    2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

  20. Judges 14:10–11Rank 20 from verse 29
    Open

    10¶ So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.

    11And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

  21. Song of Solomon 3:11Rank 21 from verse 29
    Open

    11Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

  22. 2 John 1:12Rank 22 from verse 29
    Open

    12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

  23. John 17:13Rank 23 from verse 29
    Open

    13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

  24. Matthew 22:2Rank 24 from verse 29
    Open

    2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

  25. Psalms 45:9–17Rank 25 from verse 29
    Open

    9Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

    10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;

    11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

    12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

    13The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

    14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

    15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.

    16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

    17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:27

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

except

↗

Sense 1: Unless; with the exclusion of; apart from. Sense 2: To exclude or leave out. Sense 3: To object or take exception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:28

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bear

↗

Sense 1: To carry, support, convey, endure, sustain, or be answerable for. Sense 2: To produce or bring forth offspring, fruit, or another result. Sense 3: In ‘bear witness’ or ‘bear record,’ to testify or give witness. Sense 4: A large wild animal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

witness

↗

Sense 1: A person or thing that attests, testifies, records, or supplies evidence; also testimony, record, or the act of bearing testimony. Sense 2: To see in person, testify, attest, or give evidence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:29

COMBINED MEANING

bride

↗

Sense 1: A woman newly married or espoused. Sense 2: Figuratively, one presented as a bride or wife.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

friend

↗

One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

standeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of stand, meaning to be upright, rise, stop, remain, endure, take or keep a position, be established, withstand, or present oneself before another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

joy

↗

Sense 1: Gladness, delight, or rejoicing. Sense 2: To rejoice, delight, or be glad.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fulfilled

↗

Filled up, completed, accomplished, performed, satisfied, expired, or brought fully to the appointed result, measure, time, or realization.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · John 3:25–36

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:25¶ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

3:26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

3:27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Selected passage

3:28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

Selected passage

3:29He 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.

Selected passage

3:30He must increase, but I must decrease.

3:31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

3:32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

3:33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

3:35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.