John 1:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

John bare witness of him, &c.— This might probably happen at the time when Jesus made his first appearance amongthose who came to be baptized by John; when at this offering to receive his baptism, though John had been a stranger to him before, and knew him not by any personal acquaintance with him, yet, by some powerful impression of the mind, he presently discerned that this was He, whom he before had taught the people to expect, and of whose person he had given them so high a character; for it was plain from his knowledge of Jesus, that John at first would have declined baptizing him, as an honour of which he looked upon himself to be utterly unworthy. Nor is it to be doubted, but that when first, he knew the Person of whose appearance he had raised such expectations by his preaching, he would immediately be ready to acquaint his hearers that this was he who was intended by him; which they themselves might have beenready to conclude, from the uncommon veneration and respect wherewith he was treated by the Baptist, who had been always used to treat men with the greatest plainness. Comp. John 1:27; John 1:30 with Matthew 3:14. Erasmus supposes that St. John, in the words, He that cometh after me, is preferred, &c. refers to the honours which he knew had been paid to Jesus in his infancy by the angels, who announced his birth to the shepherds; by the shepherds themselves; by the eastern magi; by Simeon and Anna, &c. honours which could not be paralleled by any thing that had happened to him: but the words have, I doubt not, a more extensive meaning; comprehending the superior dignity of Christ's nature, office, commission, and exaltation as Mediator, as may be collected from Matthew 3:11 the passage here referred to. The Baptist adds, For he was before me; "It is fit that Jesus should be raised above me, because he is a Person superior in nature to me; for though he was born after me, he existed before me." This undoubtedly refers to that state of infinite and eternal glory in which Christ existed before his incarnation, of which the Baptist speaks so plainly, ch. John 3:31. See the 10th article in the Argument.