Definition: Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous passage from John 3:28. It's a really important and often misunderstood verse. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that you are witnesses – people who see and understand the truth – of something significant about Jesus Christ. It’s essentially saying, “I believe in Jesus!” but also acknowledges a crucial part of how he came to us. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ye yourselves bear me witness…” - This means "You, as people, are witnesses." It’s inviting you to share your belief with others. “…that I said, I am not the Christ…” – This is the core of the verse. The writer (John) says that he (the author of the text) didn't actually come to be Jesus Christ. He wasn’t the one who was born and lived a normal life. "...but that I am sent before him." – This is where it gets interesting. "Before him" refers to Jesus Christ. The writer says he was sent before Jesus came to Earth. Think of it like this: He wasn’t the very first person to be born; he was sent ahead to prepare the way for Jesus. What does this mean in a nutshell? It means that Jesus Christ was already fully God and fully human – He was born and lived a full life, including being crucified, buried, and resurrected. He came to Earth as a messenger or instrument to deliver the good news of salvation (being saved from sin and death). Why is this important? This verse highlights that Jesus's work wasn’t just about him being born. It was about the promise of his coming – the promise of forgiveness and eternal life for us all! It’s a foundational message of hope and salvation. In short, it’s saying: "I believe in Jesus because he was already God and already lived a full life, and he came to Earth as a messenger to bring good news to everyone." --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the story (the Gospel of John)? Discuss the theological significance of this passage?