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John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

What does John 1:31 mean?

Explanation

John 1:31 speaks of the moment John the Baptist reveals the purpose of his baptizing with water.

The literal meaning of the verse is that John the Baptist did not recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah until the time of his manifestation to Israel.

John's baptism was a preparatory act for Jesus' manifestation.

The deeper meaning reflects the divine plan of revelation; John's role was to prepare the way for Jesus, and his baptizing was a symbol of cleansing and readiness for the coming of the Lord.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of the New Testament, recorded in the Gospel of John, which tells the story and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Historically, John the Baptist was seen as a forerunner to Jesus.

At the time, baptism was a common practice for ritual purification among Jews.

It symbolized repentance and the washing away of sins.

John's baptism also had an eschatological significance, preparing the people for the advent of the Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, the baptism of John signifies an initial stage of salvation in anticipation of the coming of Jesus.

When John says he did not know Jesus, it can be interpreted to mean not recognizing him as the Messiah until God revealed it to him.

This moment underscores the belief that God orchestrates the revelation of Jesus as His Son and the savior of humanity.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can remind believers of the importance of preparation and readiness for spiritual encounters.

It suggests that one may not always immediately recognize divine guidance or messengers, but through faith and dedication, symbolized by John’s act of baptism, one can become more attuned to God's presence and plan.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:11: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Mark 1:4: "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Luke 3:16: "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "I knew him not" is translated from "καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ᾔδειν αὐτόν" (kai egō ouk ēidein auton).

The word "ᾔδειν" (ēidein) is a form of "οἶδα" (oida), meaning to see, perceive, or understand. This indicates not just a lack of physical recognition but also a deeper, spiritual understanding.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparison can be made to ancient rituals in other cultures where water symbolizes purification, such as in Hinduism with the Ganges River or in ancient Egyptian practices.

In Judaism, ritual baths known as Mikveh were used for purification purposes, which resembles the concept of baptism as a mode of spiritual cleansing.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, there is no empirical evidence to verify the spiritual claims associated with baptism.

However, the science of psychology can offer insight into the effects of ritual on the human psyche, potentially supporting the experience of cleansing, transformation, and readiness for new phases of life.

Commentaries

Commentators like Matthew Henry have noted that John humbly acknowledges his role in the divine plan and his recognition of Jesus as the Christ only upon revelation.

This perspective emphasizes divine timing and revelation in the recognition of spiritual truths.

Contemporary scholarship often notes the evangelical purpose of the Gospel of John in validating Jesus as the Messiah, with John the Baptist's testimony serving as an important witness to that fact.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 1:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?