John 1:15

“John bare witness of him, etc.] Which was his office and business, for which purpose he was sent, (<430106>John 1:6-8) and cried; this agrees with his work and office, according to the prophecy of him in (<234003>Isaiah 40:3) and with the time of his ministry, the year of jubilee; and with the nature of his ministry, which was clear, open, and public; and performed with vigour, and in a powerful manner, with much assurance and certainty, with boldness and intrepidity, and with great zeal and fervency, and in an evangelical way; for it was such a cry as debased the creature, and exalted Christ: this was he, of whom I spake; when he first entered upon his ministry and baptism, before he saw…”

“A SAYING OF THE BAPTIST CONFIRMATORY OF THIS. (Joh 1:15) after me--in official manifestation. before me--in rank and dignity. for he was before me--in existence; "His goings forth being from of old, from everlasting" (Mic 5:2). (Anything lower than this His words cannot mean); that is, "My Successor is my Superior, for He was my Predecessor." This enigmatic play upon the different senses of the words "before" and "after" was doubtless employed by the Baptist to arrest attention, and rivet the thought; and the Evangelist introduces it just to clinch his own statements.”

“John bare witness of him - The evangelist now returns to the testimony of John the Baptist. He had stated that the Word became incarnate, and he now appeals to the testimony of John to show that, thus incarnate, he was the Messiah. He that cometh after me - He of whom I am the forerunner, or whose way I am come to prepare. See the notes at Matthew 3:3. Is preferred before me - Is superior to me. Most critics have supposed that the words translated “is preferred” relate to “time,” and not to “dignity;” meaning that though he came after him publicly, being six months younger than John, as well as entering on his work after John, yet that he had existed long before him. Most, however, have…”

“John cried - With joy and confidence; This is he of whom I said - John had said this before our Lord's baptism, although he then knew him not in person: he knew him first at his baptism, and afterward cried, This is he of whom I said. &c. He is preferred before me - in his office: for he was before me - in his nature. John 1:16”

“1:15 he existed long before me: In a society where age was respected and honored (Lev 19:32; contrast Isa 3:5), John the Baptist emphasized Jesus’ honor by pointing to his existence even before creation (John 1:1-3).”

“bare: am 4030, ad 26, Joh 1:7, Joh 1:8, Joh 1:29-34, Joh 3:26-36, Joh 5:33-36; Mat 3:11, Mat 3:13-17; Mar 1:7; Luk 3:16 he was: Joh 1:1, Joh 1:2, Joh 1:30, Joh 8:58, Joh 17:5; Pro 8:22; Isa 9:6; Mic 5:2; Phi 2:6, Phi 2:7; Col 1:17; Heb 13:8; Rev 1:11, Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18, Rev 2:8 John 1:16”