John 3:27 Commentary and Bible Study

And here is John’s perfect response – ‘John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.’ Now, these are wonderful words, and they are very humble words, and if we could just alter them for sense, he really is saying, ‘I had the crowds, did I? I had the attention of the people. I had the esteem – this “amazing prophet” preaching about the coming Messiah. I had all that, and you are telling me I’m losing it, and I should be embittered, and I should be annoyed at that? No,’ he said, ‘I only had what God gave me. It was a great privilege from God. That I would be short term, the centre of focus, preaching about the coming Saviour, God gave me that. I accept the fact that my role is now diminishing; it is time for me to pack up. Christ is here, the one I announced. I accept that.’ That’s the sense. ‘A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.’