3:28a
You yourselves can testify that I said: The phrase You yourselves is an emphasized way of referring to John’s listeners. They had actually heard what he had said earlier. For example:
You personally know how clearly I said this
-or-
You yourselves heard me say (New Century Version)
You…can testify: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You…can testify here indicates that John’s listeners personally heard what John said. They were present when it happened. So they could tell others what they heard. And they could be trusted as reliable, as people others could depend on.
Here are other ways to translate this clause:
You…heard me say (New Century Version)
-or-
You…can tell what you heard
that I said: John was referring to what he said in 1:20b. The verb said introduces a direct quotation. For examples of how to translate this as an indirect quotation, see the General Comment following 3:28b. In some languages it is more natural to tell whom John was talking to. For example:
that I said to them
-or-
how I told you (Contemporary English Version)
3:28b
I am not the Christ: The Greek text here has a little more emphasis than in 1:20b. Try to translate this in a strong and clear way. For example:
I am ⌊definitely⌋ not the Messiah/Christ.
the Christ: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as the Christ can also be translated as “the Messiah.” The phrase is used as a title. The Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as King and Savior. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the two words have the same meaning. Refer to your translation of the Christ in 1:20b and see Key Biblical Terms Christ, Messiah.
General Comment on 3:28a–b
In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 3:28a and b. For example:
28b I am not the Messiah, 28a as you yourselves have heard me say.
3:28c
but am sent ahead of Him: This clause indicates that God had sent John before Jesus the Messiah. God sent John ahead so that John could prepare people for the Messiah. The clause implies that John’s ministry is not as important as that of the Messiah himself. So some translations supply the word “only.” For example:
I am only here to prepare the way for him. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am only the one sent ahead of him. (Contemporary English Version)
but: The conjunction but expresses contrast. Although John was not the Messiah, God had sent him before the Messiah to prepare for his coming.
am sent: The verb am sent is passive. It implies that God sent John. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
I have been sent (New Revised Standard Version)
• Use an active verb. For example:
but ⌊God⌋ has sent me here
ahead of Him: This phrase means “before the Christ,” that is, preparing people to hear what the Messiah would say. For example:
to prepare people for ⌊the coming of⌋ the Christ/Messiah
General Comment on 3:28a–c
This verse contains a quotation inside another quotation. John quoted his own earlier words. In some languages it may be natural to use an indirect quotation here. For example:
You personally heard me say that I am not the Messiah but just the one God sent to announce his coming.
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