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John 1:30
ESV This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’
NIV This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
NASB This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’
CSB This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’
NLT He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’
KJV This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
NKJV This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’

What does John 1:30 mean?

John the Baptist was not the disciple John, who recorded this gospel. He specifically points out Jesus as "the One" of whom he had previously spoken. The Baptist's entire mission was to make a path for this man (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3). Because the Baptist was not the Messiah, he pointed all attention and honor towards Jesus, rather than himself. He had gone as far as to say he wasn't worthy to untie the Promised One's sandals (John 1:27).

The Baptist also repeats that Jesus "existed before me," a reference to Jesus' divinity. It's important to remember that the Baptist was born several months before Jesus (Luke 1:35–36). And yet, he knows that Christ existed before he did, as God (John 1:1). After preaching repentance (Matthew 3:1–2), and warning people that the Messiah was coming (Matthew 3:3), the Baptist can now point to Him and say, "He's here!" Jesus will later refer to John's testimony as a reason to believe in His message (John 5:32–33).
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