John 1:15

John bare witness. Literally, “John bears witness,” or “John testifies.” More than a half a century had passed since the martyrdom of John the Baptist, but his witness to the Christ echoed on down the years. It was true of him as it was of Abel, that “he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:4). See John 1:19-36; 3:27-36; see on Matt. 3:11, 12; Luke 3:15-18.

This was he. The Baptist identifies Jesus as the one of whom he had spoken since the beginning of his ministry (see vs. 27, 30).

After me. That is, in point of time. Jesus did not come “after” John in the sense that the disciples, as learners, followed “after” Jesus (see on Matt. 10:37, 38).

Is preferred. Literally, “is become,” or here, “takes precedence.” John never questioned the superior rank and dignity of the Messiah. See eh. 3:28-31.

Before me. Gr. emprosthen mou, “in front of me,” that is, in relative greatness.

He was before me. That is, in point of time. Here, for the word “before” John uses opiso, whereas in the preceding clause he uses emprosthen. In view of the fact that John was about six months older than Jesus, reference here is clearly to Jesus’ preincarnate existence.

Some translators and commentators consider v. 15 an interpolation that interrupts the line of though between vs. 14, 16. However, the apostle manifestly introduces the testimony of the Baptist at this point to confirm that of the disciples already mentioned in v. 14, as to Christ’s exalted position and pre-existence. The importance attached by the early church to the witness of John the Baptist reflects the express statements of our Lord Himself (see John 5:32-36; cf. Matt. 11:11).