Matthew 11:9-14
11:9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more
than a prophet.
11:10 This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11:11 “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it.
11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared.
11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come.
John 3:26-30
3:26 So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River,
about whom you testified – see, he is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to him!”
3:27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven.
3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but rather, ‘I have been sent before him.’
3:29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete.
3:30 He must become more important while I become less important.”
John 5:35
5:35 He was a lamp that was burning and shining,
and you wanted to rejoice greatly for a short time
in his light.