Harmony of The Gospels: Topic 21

The Four Gospels arranged into a single narrative
Home Page - Table of Contents - Previous Topic - Next Topic - Index 1 - Index 2

(21) Jesus, the Lamb of God

John 1:29-34

    29The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!1 30This is the one I was speaking of when I said, ‘A man will come after me who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31I did not know Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I have come baptizing with water.”

    32And John testified, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained on Him. 33I did not know Him,2 but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on, He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen, and I declare that this is the Son of God.”


(21) Jesus, the Lamb of God

John 1:29-34 (KJV)

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. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 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.


[1] The Old Testament paints a two fold picture of Israel’s Messiah. One is a suffering servant who would come and die a sacrificial death so that man could be saved from his sins. The other picture is of one who would come and save Israel from its enemies and establish God’s kingdom on earth (which makes a resurrection necessary). Israel was looking for a political Deliverer rather than a spiritual one, and this is why they rejected Him. Apparently John the Baptist knew that the Messiah would fulfill both roles. He may have even though that Jesus would be killed that first Passover, be raised from death, and then establish His kingdom. When it didn’t happen, and he was put in prison, he began to wonder. (See Matt. 11:2-3..)

[2] If John did not know Jesus, he at least knew about Him and must have strongly suspected that He was the Messiah; but he could not be certain before he saw the Spirit descending on Jesus.


Harmony of The Gospels: The Four Gospels arranged into a single narrative

Top of Page