THE LAMB OF GOD

Passage: John 1:29-34

Key verse: 29

NIV

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(A) who takes away the sin of the world!(B) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(C) 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.(D) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(E) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(F) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[a](G)

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Footnotes
  1. John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, (A)the Lamb of God, who (B)takes away the sin (C)of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, (D)‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but (E)for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John (F)bore witness: (G)“I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and (H)it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but (I)he who sent me to baptize (J)with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, (K)this is he who baptizes (L)with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[a] of God.”

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Footnotes
  1. John 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. John's proclamation of the Lamb of God (29-31)

John testified that Jesus is the Lamb whom God provided (Ge 22) to take away the sins of the world. The Passover lamb (Ex 12:3,7,13) and the lambs of sacrifice in Exodus 29:38-46 look forward to his coming. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, blood was offered to atone for sin (Lev 17:11). This sacrificial system finds its fulfillment and meaning in Jesus. God takes sin seriously. He made a costly plan to save people oppressed by the power of sin and death, and bring them to himself. Anyone who repents of sin and accepts Jesus as his Savior is forgiven his sins, and becomes a child of God.

2. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (32-34)

John baptized repentant sinners with water so that Jesus might be revealed. Jesus is the eternal Word (30). He is the Son of God (34). Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit to make forgiven sinners fruitful children of God. When John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit identified him as the Christ, the Son of God. John became the first witness to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I lay my sins on you. Cleanse me and fill me with your Spirit.

One Word: Look, the Lamb of God