John 3:28 - Exposition

Ye yourselves (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 for similar emphatic pronoun) bear me witness —you will do it readily, if I challenge you, for my testimonies were frequent and varied (in fact, the synoptists and the fourth evangelist are equally explicit here)— that I said, I am not the Messiah ( John 1:20 ; Matthew 3:11 , Matthew 3:12 ; Luke 3:15-17 ). This announcement, made with great publicity at Bethany, was the basis of the present remonstrance; and the words which follow strongly sustain John's reference to the Divine predestination in his own case and that of Jesus. But that I am one sent (on a special mission) before him . He boldly implies, "This is more than I have already testified concerning 'the Christ;' and my place is not at his side, not following in his train. I am 'a voice;' my work is continuously to break up a way for him. I am here still, making the mountains low, and filling up the valleys for the approach of the great King." A man can receive nothing in the shape of lifework except that which is assigned to him out of heaven.