Calvin on John 3:30, "He Must Increase"

“John the Baptist proceeds farther; for, having formerly been raised by the Lord to the highest dignity, he shows that this was only for a time, but now that the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) has arisen, he must give way; and, therefore, he not only scatters and drives away the empty fumes of honor which had been rashly and ignorantly heaped upon him by men, but also is exceedingly careful that the lawful honor which the Lord had bestowed upon him may not obscure the glory of Christ…he declares that he will most willingly endure to be reduced to nothing, provided that Christ occupy and fill the whole world with his rays; and this zeal of John all pastors of the Church ought to imitate by stooping with the head and shoulders to elevate Christ” (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, Volume XVII, Gospel According to John, pages 135-136).