JHN 1:29-34

Jesus the Lamb of God

29On the next day, he sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who is taking away the sin of the world!

30This is the one about whom I said, 'After me comes a man who has taken precedence over me, because he existed before me.'

31And I myself did not know him, but so that he might be revealed to Israel, for this reason I came baptizing with water."

32And John bore witness, saying: "I have observed the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.

33And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water — that one said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Jewish thought, lambs held deep symbolic significance, particularly in the context of Passover and temple sacrifices. The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from death in Egypt, was a central ritual memory. Temple sacrifices also involved lambs as offerings for sin, symbolizing atonement and purification. When John calls Jesus the 'Lamb of God,' his audience would have heard echoes of these sacrificial themes, but with a startling twist: this Lamb would take away the sin of the world, not just Israel’s sins. The verb (taking away) implies both bearing and removing sin, suggesting a definitive act of redemption. John’s emphasis on Jesus’ precedence underscores Jesus’ superiority, rooted in His eternal existence. The descent of the Spirit as a dove (a symbol of peace and divine favor in Jewish tradition) and its remaining on Jesus signifies His unique anointing and enduring divine presence. This revelation positions Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s messianic hopes and the ultimate solution to humanity’s sin.

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How other translations render this

JHN 1:29

KJV: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
BSB: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Koinōnos: On the next day, he sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who is taking away the sin of the world!

JHN 1:30

KJV: This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
BSB: This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’
Koinōnos: This is the one about whom I said, 'After me comes a man who has taken precedence over me, because he existed before me.

JHN 1:31

KJV: And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
BSB: I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”
Koinōnos: And I myself did not know him, but so that he might be revealed to Israel, for this reason I came baptizing with water.

JHN 1:32

KJV: And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
BSB: Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
Koinōnos: And John bore witness, saying: "I have observed the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.

JHN 1:33

KJV: 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.
BSB: I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Koinōnos: And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water — that one said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

JHN 1:34

KJV: And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
BSB: I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Koinōnos: And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

JHN 1:29

of God,:The word translated 'of God' here is part of a phrase that means 'to take up' or 'to carry away.' It suggests a removal or bearing of something, rather than just possession.
is taking away:The term used here for 'is taking away' implies a continuous action of removing or bearing the burden of sin, not a one-time event.

JHN 1:30

precedence:The word translated 'precedence' literally means 'in front of' or 'before.' It can refer to position in space, but also to rank or superiority, indicating a higher status or prior existence.

JHN 1:33

abiding:The word translated 'abiding' suggests remaining, staying, or dwelling in a place or state. It implies a continuous, settled presence rather than a fleeting visit.