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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 1:32 mean?

Explanation

John 1:32 recounts an instance of divine revelation witnessed by John the Baptist.

This verse describes the moment when John the Baptist observes the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in a physical form that resembled a dove.

The mention of the Spirit "abiding upon him" indicates not just a fleeting presence, but a more permanent indwelling within Jesus.

This event is presented as a concrete sign given to John to recognize and confirm Jesus as the promised Messiah.

The imagery of the dove is often interpreted as symbolizing purity, peace, or the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, is believed to have been written towards the end of the first century AD.

The historical context of this verse is set in the early days of Jesus's ministry, specifically at the time of his baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.

Baptism was a common ritual in Jewish tradition for purification and repentance.

The descent of the Spirit as a dove at Jesus’s baptism constitutes a significant event that marks the inauguration of his public ministry.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is crucial because it encapsulates the concept of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Within the Christian tradition, the Holy Spirit's descent as a dove is interpreted as God the Father bearing witness to the deity and messiahship of Jesus, the Son.

Various denominations may have differing interpretations of the Trinity, but this event is a Trinitarian moment where all three Persons are uniquely present.

It also provides a foundation for understanding how Jesus is anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His mission.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to seek a personal and continuing experience with the Holy Spirit in their lives. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing acts of God in one's life and bearing witness to them, just as John did.

Furthermore, it can serve as a reminder for Christians to aspire to the attributes of the dove - peace, purity, and gentleness - in their character and relationships.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:16: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
Mark 1:10: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:"
Luke 3:22: "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

Language Study

The original Greek text uses the word "περιστερὰν" (peristeran) for "dove," set in context as the Spirit descending "ὡς" (hōs), meaning "like" or "as," indicating the manner of the Spirit's descent rather than a literal transformation into a bird. "Καταβαῖνον" (katabainon) is a present participle form that translates as "descending," denoting a continuous action. "ἔμεινεν" (emeinen), translated as "it abode," signifies that the Spirit "remained upon" Jesus, emphasizing a lasting presence rather than a momentary occurrence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The dove has appeared as a powerful symbol in various cultures and religions.

In the Ancient Near East, doves were often seen as messengers of the gods.

In Greco-Roman mythology, the dove was associated with the love goddess Aphrodite/Venus.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the dove is a symbol of peace and purity, often remembered from the story of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 8:11) as the bird that brought back an olive leaf after the flood, signifying God's reconciliation with mankind.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, there is no empirical evidence to corroborate the physical manifestation of a spiritual entity.

The description of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove would be regarded as a symbolic or metaphorical narrative within the realms of religious faith rather than a phenomenon examinable by empirical scientific methods.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of John 1:32.

Some emphasize the divine authentication of Jesus’s identity and mission.

Others focus on the Johannine themes of witness and testimony.

The New Testament scholar Raymond E.

Brown notes that the Spirit's descent upon Jesus represents the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, where the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon the promised Deliverer.

Moreover, scholars point out how this manifestation prefigures the later Pentecost event (Acts 2), where the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples of Jesus, enabling the church's mission in the world.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:32 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 1:32 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?