King James Bible
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
John the Baptist declares the divine necessity of Jesus' growing prominence and influence. The word 'must' indicates this is God's ordained plan, not merely John's preference, as the Messiah takes center stage in salvation history. John embraces his diminishing role as the forerunner gives way to the One he announced. This humble acceptance models the proper response to Christ's supremacy—willingly stepping aside so attention shifts from messenger to Master.