John 1:29–34 contains John the Baptist’s direct testimony about Jesus—a climactic moment in the first chapter of John’s Gospel. This passage identifies Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, and the Son of God. It brings together themes from the Exodus, sacrificial system, and prophetic hope, fulfilling Old Testament typology and anchoring Jesus’ identity in God’s redemptive plan. This is the testimony for which John was sent—to prepare the way by pointing to the Christ.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.” I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John bore witness: ‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’”
(John 1:29–34, ESV)
John 1:29 — “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 53:7 – “…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…”
- Exodus 12:5–13 – the Passover lamb whose blood turned away judgment
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
- Revelation 5:6 – “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…”
This is John the Baptist’s prophetic identification of Jesus’ mission. “Behold” calls for attention and wonder. The title “Lamb of God” is drawn from the Old Testament sacrificial system and rich with redemptive symbolism:
- Passover Lamb (Exodus 12): whose blood preserved Israel from judgment
- Sin Offering (Leviticus 4): atoning for the sins of the people
- Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53): led like a lamb, bearing the sins of many
Jesus is the culmination of all these shadows—the Lamb appointed by God, not man. Unlike the temple sacrifices which were limited, national, and repeated, this Lamb takes away the sin of the world—His work is universal, final, and sufficient.
The phrase “takes away” conveys both bearing and removal—He carries sin as the substitute, and removes it entirely.
John 1:30 — “This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’”
Cross References:
- John 1:15 – “He who comes after me ranks before me…”
- Micah 5:2 – “…from you shall come forth… whose coming forth is from of old…”
- Colossians 1:17 – “He is before all things…”
Though Jesus appeared after John in time, John affirms His preeminence and preexistence. This echoes verse 15 and reinforces John’s witness that Jesus is not a mere successor, but the eternal One, sent from heaven. John sees his entire prophetic role as subordinate to the One who always was.
This verse continues to highlight the divine nature of Jesus, anchoring His superiority not in earthly status, but in His eternal identity.
John 1:31 — “I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Cross References:
- Luke 1:76 – “…you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…”
- Malachi 3:1 – “I send my messenger… to prepare the way before me.”
Though John and Jesus were relatives (Luke 1:36), this verse indicates that John did not previously recognize Jesus as the Messiah until the Spirit revealed Him. His baptism was preparatory and prophetic, functioning as the stage upon which Jesus would be publicly revealed to Israel.
John understands his role: not to exalt himself, but to reveal the Christ. Baptism prepared hearts through repentance, cleansing, and expectancy.
This underscores the divine initiative in revelation—even the prophet needed confirmation from God to recognize the Lamb.
John 1:32 — “And John bore witness: ‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.’”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 11:2 – “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him…”
- Matthew 3:16 – “…he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove…”
- Luke 3:22 – “…the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form…”
This is a divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity. The descent of the Spirit is both a sign and a fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 61:1). The Spirit remains—unlike in the Old Testament, where the Spirit came upon prophets temporarily. This permanence signifies Jesus as the anointed One who possesses the Spirit without measure (John 3:34).
The dove echoes Genesis 1:2 (the Spirit hovering over the waters) and Noah’s dove bringing a sign of peace and new creation. Jesus is the dawn of the new creation, and the Spirit’s visible descent signals that God’s redemptive plan is now in motion.
John 1:33 — “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’”
Cross References:
- Ezekiel 36:27 – “I will put my Spirit within you…”
- Joel 2:28 – “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…”
- Mark 1:8 – “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John’s authority comes from divine commissioning: “He who sent me.” The identifying mark of the Messiah was not political power, but Spirit-endowment. Jesus is not just the Lamb who takes away sin; He is the one who imparts new life by baptizing with the Holy Spirit.
This baptism is greater than water—it signifies regeneration (Titus 3:5), empowerment (Acts 1:8), and the fulfillment of the new covenant promises (Jeremiah 31:33–34). In Christ, the age of the Spirit begins.
John 1:34 — “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Cross References:
- Psalm 2:7 – “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
- Matthew 3:17 – “This is my beloved Son…”
- John 20:31 – “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…”
John ends with a clear, unwavering declaration: Jesus is the Son of God. This is not a title of generic spiritual significance, but a claim of divine sonship—unique, eternal, and essential to Jesus’ identity (John 5:18).
To call Jesus the Son of God is to affirm:
- His eternal relationship with the Father
- His divine nature
- His messianic kingship as the fulfillment of Psalm 2 and 2 Samuel 7
John’s witness is not speculative; it is rooted in divine revelation and confirmed by signs. The prophet’s voice has served its purpose: the Lamb has been revealed, the Spirit has descended, and the Son has been made known.
Summary for Discipleship & Teaching
This section forms a Christological cornerstone of the Gospel. Jesus is:
- The Lamb of God – our substitute and sacrifice
- The preexistent One – eternal and supreme
- The Spirit-anointed Messiah – empowered to bring new life
- The Baptizer with the Spirit – fulfilling the new covenant
- The Son of God – divine, unique, and worthy of worship
For discipleship:
- Recognize Christ as the only Lamb who can remove sin
- Seek the Spirit’s work, not merely ritual
- Testify boldly, as John did, with clarity and Christ-exalting humility
This passage shows us that to see Jesus rightly is to see the fulfillment of all Scripture—and to trust in Him is to receive the life and power of God.
Outline: John 1:29–34 (ESV)
The following information is intended for preparation.
Scripture (ESV):
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
1. Jesus Identified as the Lamb (v. 29)
- “Behold, the Lamb of God” — John identifies Jesus with sacrificial imagery.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Isaiah 53:7 — “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…”
- “Who takes away the sin of the world!” — Jesus’ mission is global and redemptive.
- Key Idea: Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb who removes sin.
- Key Words:Lamb of God, takes away, sin of the world
2. John’s Role in Revealing Christ (vv. 30–31)
- “He… ranks before me, because he was before me” — Jesus is eternally greater than John.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 1:15 — “He who comes after me ranks before me…”
- “I came baptizing… that he might be revealed” — John’s ministry had a singular purpose: to reveal the Messiah.
- Key Idea: John’s mission was to prepare and point to Christ.
- Key Words:ranks before me, revealed to Israel
3. The Divine Confirmation (vv. 32–34)
- “I saw the Spirit descend… and it remained on him” — A visible sign confirming Jesus as the Christ.
- “This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” — Jesus brings true spiritual renewal.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Matthew 3:11 — “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit…”
- “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” — John gives personal testimony to Jesus’ divine identity.
- Key Idea: God confirmed Jesus as His Son through the Spirit’s descent.
- Key Words:Spirit descend, Holy Spirit, Son of God
Moe Bergeron 
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