Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 3:29

29. John explains by a figure his subordination to the Messiah.

τὴν νύμφην. Here only in this Gospel does this well-known symbol occur. It is frequent both in O.T. and N.T. Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:9. Comp. Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1. In O.T. it symbolizes the relationship between Jehovah and His chosen people, in N.T. that between Christ and His Church. By ‘the friend of the bridegroom’ is meant the special friend, appointed to arrange the preliminaries of the wedding, to manage and preside at the marriage-feast. Somewhat analogous to our ‘best man,’ but his duties were very much more considerable. A much closer analogy may be found among the lower orders in the Tyrol at the present day. Here the Messiah is the Bridegroom and the Church His Bride; John is His friend who has prepared the heart of the Bride and arranged the espousal. He rejoices to see the consummation of his labours.

ἑστηκὼς καὶ�. In the attitude of a devoted attendant.

χαρᾷ χαίρει. A Hebraism: comp. Luke 22:15; Acts 4:17; Acts 5:28; Acts 23:14; James 5:17; Matthew 13:14; Matthew 15:4 (from LXX., where the idiom is common). Winer, p. 584. It is in the marriage festivities that the Bridegroom’s voice is heard.

πεπλήρωται. Has been fulfilled and still remains complete: comp. John 3:18; John 3:21; John 3:26; John 1:34; John 1:51, &c. To speak of joy being fulfilled is an expression peculiar to S. John (John 15:11; John 16:24; John 17:13; 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12): the active occurs Philippians 2:2.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 3:29

Old Testament

New Testament