The Meaning of John 3:29 Explained

John 3:29

KJV: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

YLT: he who is having the bride is bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who is standing and hearing him, with joy doth rejoice because of the voice of the bridegroom; this, then, my joy hath been fulfilled.

Darby: He that has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices in heart because of the voice of the bridegroom: this my joy then is fulfilled.

ASV: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is made full.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that hath  the bride  is  the bridegroom:  but  the friend  of the bridegroom,  which  standeth  and  heareth  him,  rejoiceth  greatly  because  of the bridegroom's  voice:  this  my  joy  therefore  is fulfilled. 

What does John 3:29 Mean?

Verse Meaning

John"s illustration showed that his attitude and behavior were consistent with normal conduct. In the illustration Jesus is the bridegroom and John is the bridegroom"s friend.
"The assistant acted on behalf of the bridegroom and made the preliminary arrangements for the ceremony." [1]
The bride is probably a reference to Israel (cf. Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 62:4-5; Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:16-20). John was therefore implying that he played a supporting role in Messiah"s union with Israel. This was a testimony to Jesus" identity as Messiah whom John said he rejoiced to hear.
When John the Baptist spoke these words the church was an unknown entity in God"s plan, so it is unlikely that it was in his mind. However the original readers of this Gospel were probably familiar with the Apostle Paul"s revelations concerning the church being the bride of Christ (e.g, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27; Ephesians 5:32). Israel had spurned her bridegroom when He came for her, and consequently He had taken a different bride for Himself. John"s joy was complete or full (Gr. pleroun) because he knew that he was fulfilling his role faithfully. Jesus" increasing popularity filled John"s disciples with resentment, but it filled John with joy.

Context Summary

John 3:22-30 - John Shows The Greatness Of Humility
It is expressly stated in John 4:2 that Jesus baptized through His disciples. This controversy arose with a Jew, who was comparing the respective baptisms of John and the Lord. Perhaps he stirred John's followers with jealousy as he contrasted the crowds that gathered round the new teacher with the waning popularity of the old. But the Baptist had no sense of being aggrieved. His answer is one of the noblest ever made by human lips: "My work has been definitely assigned to me. It has been enough for me to fulfill it. The rapture of the Bridegroom and His success in wooing hearts is not for me. It is enough to behold His joy. He must increase, and I must decrease, but I sorrow not. Indeed, my joy is filled to the brim because of His success."
What a blessing it would be if we could enshrine in our hearts this immortal maxim: A man can receive nothing except it have been given him from heaven! What we have is God's gift; let us hold it reverently. What another person has is God's gift to him; we have no right to find fault with His dealings with another of His servants. Our orbits are distinct; all we have to do is to shine our brightest where He has placed us, confident that He knows best. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 3

1  Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,
14  of faith in his death,
16  the great love of God toward the world,
18  and the condemnation for unbelief
22  Jesus baptizes in Judea
23  The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus

Greek Commentary for John 3:29

The bridegroom [νυμπιος]
Predicate nominative without article. Both νυμπη — numphē (bride) and νυμπιος — numphios are old and common words. Jesus will use this metaphor of himself as the Bridegroom (Mark 2:19) and Paul develops it (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32) and so in Revelation (Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2). John is only like the παρανυμπιος — paranymph Perfect passive indicative of plēroō stands filled like a cup to the brim with joy. [source]
The bride []
A common figure in the Old testament prophecies, of the relation between Jehovah and His people (Hosea href="/desk/?q=ho+2:19&sr=1">Hosea 2:19; Malachi 2:11). See also on Matthew 1:21, concerning Hosea. [source]
Friend of the bridegroom []
Or groomsman. The term is appropriate to Judaea, the groomsmen not being customary in Galilee. See Matthew 9:15, where the phrase children of the bridechamber is used. (See on Mark 2:19). In Judaea there were two groomsmen, one for the bridegroom, the other for his bride. Before marriage they acted as intermediaries between the couple; at the wedding they offered gifts, waited upon the bride and bridegroom, and attended them to the bridal chamber. It was the duty of the friend of the bridegroom to present him to his bride, after marriage to maintain proper terms between the parties, and especially to defend the bride's good fame. The Rabbinical writings speak of Moses as the friend of the bridegroom who leads out the bride to meet Jehovah at Sinai (Exodus 19:17); and describe Michael and Gabriel as acting as the friends of the bridegroom to our first parents, when the Almighty himself took the cup of blessing and spoke the benediction. The Baptist represents himself as standing in the same relation to Jesus. [source]
Rejoiceth greatly [χαρᾷ χαίρει]
Literally, rejoiceth with joy. A Hebrew idiom. See on Luke 22:15, and compare Acts 23:14; James 5:17. Only here in John's writings. [source]
This my joy [αὕτη ἡ χαρὰ ἡ ἐμὴ]
A very emphatic expression: this, the joy which is mine. The change of style in the following verses seems to indicate that the words of the Baptist break off at this point, and are taken up and commented upon by the Evangelist. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 3:29

Matthew 9:15 The sons of the bride-chamber [οι υιοι του νυμπωνος]
It is a late Hebrew idiom for the wedding guests, “the friends of the bridegroom and all the sons of the bride-chamber” (Tos. Berak. ii. 10). Cf. John 3:29; see note on Mark 2:19. [source]
Mark 2:19 The sons of the bridechamber [οι υιοι του νυμπωνος]
Not merely the groomsmen, but the guests also, the παρανψμπς — paranymphs Jesus here adopts the Baptist‘s own metaphor (John 3:29), changing the friend of the bridegroom Mourning does not suit the wedding feast. Mark, Matthew, and Luke all give the three parables (bridegroom, unfulled cloth, new wineskins) illustrating and defending the conduct of Jesus in feasting with Levi on a Jewish fast-day. Luke 5:36 calls these parables. Jesus here seems iconoclastic to the ecclesiastics and revolutionary in emphasis on the spiritual instead of the ritualistic and ceremonial. [source]
Luke 22:15 With desire I have desired []
Expressing intense desire. Compare John 3:29, rejoiceth with joy; Acts 4:17, threaten with threatening. [source]
Luke 22:15 With desire I have desired [επιτυμιαι επετυμησα]
A Hebraism common in the lxx. Associative instrumental case of substantive and first aorist active indicative of same like a cognate accusative. Peculiar to Luke is all this verse. See this idiom in John 3:29; Acts 4:17. [source]
John 15:9 In my love [ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ τῇ ἐμῇ]
Literally, in the love, that which is mine. Not only the love of the disciple for Christ, nor the love of Christ for the disciple, but the Christ-principle of love which includes both. See the same form of expression in the joy that is mine, John 15:11; John 3:29; John 17:13; the judgment (John 5:30; John 8:16); the commandments (John 14:15); peace (John 14:27). [source]
John 10:27 My sheep [τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἐμὰ]
Literally, the sheep, those that are mine. A characteristic form of expression with John. Compare John 3:29; John 5:30; John 14:15, etc. [source]
John 1:39 They came []
The best texts add οὖν , therefore. So Rev. This connecting particle is found in John's Gospel as often as in the other three combined, and most commonly in narrative, marking the transition from one thing to another, and serving to connect the several parts of the narrative. See John 1:22; John 2:18; John 3:25; John 4:28, John 4:30, etc. Much more frequently thus than in the discourses, where it would be used to mark a sequence of thought. Still such instances occur, as John 4:21, John 4:25; John 3:29; John 8:5; John 4:11. [source]
John 16:8 And he [και εκεινος]
Emphatic demonstrative masculine pronoun. When he is come Second aorist active participle of ερχομαι — erchomai “having come” or “coming.” Will convict the world Future active of ελεγχω — elegchō old word for confuting, convicting by proof already in John 3:29; John 8:46. Jesus had been doing this (John 7:7), but this is pre-eminently the work of the Holy Spirit and the most needed task today for our complacent age. In respect of sin Concerning the reality of sin as missing the mark and as wronging God and man, and not a mere slip or animal instinct or devoid of moral responsibility or evil. Some scientists and psychologists (Freudians and behaviourists) seem bent on destroying man‘s sense of sin. Hence crime waves even in youth. And of righteousness The opposite of “sin” and to be yearned for after conviction. Cf. Rom 1:19-3:21 about the necessity of the God-kind of righteousness and the Sermon on the Mount for Christ‘s idea of righteousness. And of judgment As certain to come as condemnation because of sin and the lack of righteousness. These are not played out motives in human life, but basal. For this ministry we have the help of the Paraclete. The Paraclete is here spoken of “not as man‘s advocate with God (1 John 2:1), but as Christ‘s advocate with the world” (Bernard). [source]
2 Corinthians 11:2 I am jealous [ζηλῶ]
The translation is correct. The word is appropriate to the image which follows, in which Paul represents himself as the marriage-friend who has betrothed the bride to the bridegroom, and consequently shares the bridegroom's jealousy of his bride (see on John 3:29). Compare the Old-Testament passages in which God is represented as the spouse of His people: Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:18, Hosea 2:19. For the different senses of the word, see on envying, James 3:14. Theodoret's comment on the passage is: “I was your wooer for your husband, and the mediator of your marriage; through me you received the bridegroom's gifts; wherefore I am now affected with jealousy.” [source]
Philippians 2:2 Fulfill [πληρώσατε]
Or complete. Compare John 3:29. [source]
James 5:17 He prayed fervently [προσευχῇ προσηύξατο]
Lit., he prayed with prayer. See a similar mode of expression, Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+22:15&sr=1">Luke 22:15; John 3:29; Acts 4:17. The addition of the cognate noun gives intenseness to the verb. [source]
1 John 1:4 Full [πεπληρωμένη]
More correctly, fulfilled. Frequent in John. See John 3:29; John 7:8; John 8:38; John 15:11; 2 John 1:12; Revelation 6:11. “The peace of reconciliation, the blessed consciousness of sonship, the happy growth in holiness, the bright prospect of future completion and glory, - all these are but simple details of that which, in all its length and breadth is embraced by one word, Eternal Life, the real possession of which is the immediate source of our joy. We have joy, Christ's joy, because we are blessed, because we have life itself in Christ” (Düsterdieck, cit. by Alford). And Augustine: “For there is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for thine own sake, whose joy Thou thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee; this is it and there is no other” (“Confessions,” x., 22). Alford is right in remarking that this verse gives an epistolary character to what follows, but it can hardly be said with him that it “fills the place of the χαίρειν greetinglit., rejoice, so common in the opening of Epistles.” [source]
Revelation 19:7 The marriage of the Lamb []
For the figure, compare Isaiah 54:1-8; Ezekiel 16:7-14; Hosea 2:19; Matthew 9:15; John 3:29; Ephesians 5:25. [source]
Revelation 18:23 The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride [πωνη νυμπιου και νυμπης]
See John 3:29; Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9. “Even the occasional flash of the torches carried by bridal processions (Matthew 25:1.) is seen no more” (Swete). The sixth instance of ου μη — ou mē in Revelation 18:21-23, occurs with ακουστηι — akousthēi (third instance of ακουστηι — akousthēi two in Revelation 18:22). [source]
Revelation 18:23 Shall shine no more at all [ου μη πανηι]
Fifth instance in these verses of ου μη — ou mē with the aorist subjunctive, here the active of παινω — phainō as in Revelation 8:12. It is not known whether Rome had street lights or not.The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride (πωνη νυμπιου και νυμπης — phōnē numphiou kai numphēs). See John 3:29; Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9. “Even the occasional flash of the torches carried by bridal processions (Matthew 25:1.) is seen no more” (Swete). The sixth instance of ου μη — ou mē in Revelation 18:21-23, occurs with ακουστηι — akousthēi (third instance of ακουστηι — akousthēi two in Revelation 18:22).Were the princes of the earth For μεγισταν — megistān see Revelation 6:15; Mark 6:21. “Thy merchants were the grandees” once, but now these merchant princes are gone.With thy sorcery (εν τηι παρμακιαι σου — en tēi pharmakiāi sou). Εν — En (instrumental use) and the locative case of παρμακια — pharmakia old word (from παρμακευω — pharmakeuō to prepare drugs, from παρμακον — pharmakon sorcery, Revelation 9:21), in N.T. only here and Galatians 5:20 for sorcery and magical arts. If one is puzzled over the connection between medicine and sorcery as illustrated by this word (our pharmacy), he has only to recall quackery today in medicine (patent medicines and cure-alls), witch-doctors, professional faith-healers, medicine-men in Africa. True medical science has had a hard fight to shake off chicanery and charlatanry.Were deceived First aorist passive indicative of πλαναω — planaō These charlatans always find plenty of victims. See Mark 12:24. [source]
Revelation 19:7 Let us give [δωμεν]
Second aorist active subjunctive of διδωμι — didōmi but A reads δωσομεν — dōsomen (future active) and P δωσωμεν — dōsōmen If the future indicative is read, the tone is changed from exhortation to declaration (we shall give glory unto him).The marriage of the Lamb (ο γαμος του αρνιου — ho gamos tou arniou). In the O.T. God is the Bridegroom of Israel (Hosea 2:16; Isaiah 54:6; Ezekiel 16:7.). In the N.T. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Kingdom (the universal spiritual church as seen by Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25., and by John in Revelation 3:20; Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17. In the Gospels Christ appears as the Bridegroom (Mark 2:19.; Matthew 9:15; Luke 5:34.; John 3:29). The figure of γαμος — gamos occurs in Matthew 22:2-14. Three metaphors of women appear in the Apocalypse (the Mother in chapter Rev 12, the Harlot in Rev 17-19, and the Bride of Christ here to the end). “The first and third present the Church under two different aspects of her life, while the second answers to her great rival and enemy” (Swete).Is come Prophetic aorist, come at last.Made herself ready (ητοιμασεν εαυτην — hētoimasen heautēn). First aorist active indicative of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō and the reflexive pronoun. See Revelation 22:2 for ητοιμασμενην ως νυμπην — hētoimasmenēn hōs numphēn (prepared as a bride). There is something for her to do (1 John 3:3; Judges 1:21; 2 Corinthians 7:1), but the chief preparation is the act of Christ (Ephesians 5:25.). [source]
Revelation 19:7 The marriage of the Lamb [ο γαμος του αρνιου]
In the O.T. God is the Bridegroom of Israel (Hosea 2:16; Isaiah 54:6; Ezekiel 16:7.). In the N.T. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Kingdom (the universal spiritual church as seen by Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25., and by John in Revelation 3:20; Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17. In the Gospels Christ appears as the Bridegroom (Mark 2:19.; Matthew 9:15; Luke 5:34.; John 3:29). The figure of γαμος — gamos occurs in Matthew 22:2-14. Three metaphors of women appear in the Apocalypse (the Mother in chapter Rev 12, the Harlot in Rev 17-19, and the Bride of Christ here to the end). “The first and third present the Church under two different aspects of her life, while the second answers to her great rival and enemy” (Swete). [source]

What do the individual words in John 3:29 mean?

The [one] having the bride [the] bridegroom is the now friend of the bridegroom standing and listening for him with joy rejoices because of voice This therefore the joy - of mine is fulfilled
ἔχων τὴν νύμφην νυμφίος ἐστίν δὲ φίλος τοῦ νυμφίου ἑστηκὼς καὶ ἀκούων αὐτοῦ χαρᾷ χαίρει διὰ φωνὴν αὕτη οὖν χαρὰ ἐμὴ πεπλήρωται

  The  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νύμφην  bride 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: νύμφη  
Sense: a betrothed woman, a bride.
νυμφίος  [the]  bridegroom 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νυμφίος  
Sense: a bridegroom.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
φίλος  friend 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: φίλος  
Sense: friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νυμφίου  bridegroom 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νυμφίος  
Sense: a bridegroom.
ἑστηκὼς  standing 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἵστημι  
Sense: to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set.
ἀκούων  listening  for 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
χαρᾷ  with  joy 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
χαίρει  rejoices 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: χαίρω  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.
διὰ  because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
φωνὴν  voice 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
αὕτη  This 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
χαρὰ  joy 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμὴ  of  mine 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμός  
Sense: my, mine, etc.
πεπλήρωται  is  fulfilled 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.