ᾧ σὺ μεμ. To whom thou hast borne witness. This was what seemed so monstrous; that One who appeared to owe His position to John’s testimony should be competing with him and surpassing him: σύ and οὗτος are in emphatic opposition.

ἴδε οὗτος. Lo (see on John 1:29) this fellow, expressing astonishment and chagrin, and perhaps contempt: they regard baptizing as John’s prerogative. In Matthew 9:14 we find them cavilling again.

πάντες. An exaggeration very natural in their excitement: the picture is thoroughly true to life. Comp. the excited statement of the Samaritan woman, John 4:29; of the Pharisees, John 12:19; contrast John 3:32, and see on John 6:15.

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Old Testament