3:30

He must increase; I must decrease: The verb increase means “to make larger,” and the verb decrease means “to make smaller.” This verse indicates that it was necessary that Jesus begin to receive more honor (increase in status). It was also necessary that John the Baptist begin to receive less honor (decrease in status). It is implied that it was necessary because God wanted it to happen. It was God’s will that Jesus the Messiah begin to get more disciples than John.

Here are other ways to translate this sentence:

He must increase in importance, while I must decrease in importance. (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus must become more important, while I become less important. (Contemporary English Version)

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