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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying: John was not he, but only a witness to him; and he continueth to bear witness (the verb is in the present tense); nor did he give an obscure or cold testimony, but an open, and plain, and fervent testimony, according to the prophecies, his testimony was the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
This was he of whom I spake; he first testified that Christ was he of whom he had before spoken; possibly when he was preaching in the wilderness, and Christ came to him to be baptized of him, Mat_3:11,14.
He that cometh after me is preferred before me; he that cometh after me, in order of time, or in the ministerial office and employment, or, as if he were my disciple, Joh_8:12, is become, or is made, before me.
For he was before me, both in the eternal destination, and in respect of his Divine nature; as also in dignity and eminency, considered as a prophet, i.e. one that revealeth my Father’s will. This John said before, though not in terms, yet in effect, when he said, Mat_3:11, He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, & c. So Mar_1:7 Luk_3:16. This is the first thing which is here mentioned, as John’s testimony concerning Christ, respecting the excellency of his person.