When last we talked about the Gospel of John we covered roughly just under a third of chapter 1. Stopping right before John talks about the Testimony of John the Baptist.
John chapter 1 19-34
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
Here we are told that the following is a Record of John the baptist from when the Sanhedrin which serve as judges over the Jews and if the laws of God are being obeyed. At this time their were claims that John might be the Messiah or a Prophet of old.
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
So When asked if he is the Savor he says he is not.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
So now they ask well then are you a Prophet. His response again is no I am not.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
So now since he has denied the accusations of what he is they need some answer. So they beg him for an answer. Here we see the humility of John the baptist he rather then describe himself instead puts it into relation of his Message and makes it about God. He tells them he is a messenger a voice crying out and making the way ready for the Lord or Messiah as was said by the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
So now they wish to know why is he baptizing if he is not the Messiah or a Prophet. As only a Prophet or other authority was allowed to baptize in Jewish law.
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Here John once again rather then talking about himself instead makes it about God. That he is baptizing with water, but out their someone not yet reviled is the Messiah and while he will come after him. He existed before him and is so great John is not even worth to tie his sandals or shoe. We are then told were this conversation happened.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Then the day after this happens we see Jesus has come to John. John the Baptist declares him to be the Lamb of God, who will take sin away from the world.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Until this point he only knew of Jesus as his cousin and it had not been shown to John he was in fact the Son of God. That only happened now that he was baptizing Jesus that it was shown.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
John again declares I saw the Spirit. (that is the Holy Spirit) Descend from heaven like a dove and that it rested upon Jesus.
33 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.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Now John further explains the significance of what he said earlier. For he did not know who the Messiah was only that he was sent by God to baptize with water. Also that God said to him upon who thou shalt see the Holy Spirit descending, and remaining on is the same who will baptize with the Holy Ghost.
So here we see Jesus is shown to John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah that Jesus in fact is the Messiah.
benedictionofandrew 