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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:32 Then John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-32.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/43_Jhn_01_32.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:32 - Jesus the Lamb of God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then John testified, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/1-31.htm" title="John 1:31">◄</a> John 1:32 <a href="/john/1-33.htm" title="John 1:33">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a> Then John gave this testimony: &#8220I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And John bore witness saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon Him. <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> John testified saying, &#8220I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He abided on Him. <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> John gave [further] evidence [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And John testified, &#8220I watched the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him. <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I was there and saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven. And the Spirit stayed on him. <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> John said, "I saw the Spirit come down as a dove from heaven and stay on him. <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> And John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and stay on him. <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> John also testified, "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then John testified, ?I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Then John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And John testified, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And John bore testimony, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit coming down out of Heaven as a dove, and [that] One remained on Him; <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And John bore witness saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon Him. <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And John testified, saying -- 'I have seen the Spirit coming down, as a dove, out of heaven, and it remained on him; <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And John testified, saying, That I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained up on him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven, and he remained upon him. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And John offered testimony, saying: “For I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove; and he remained upon him. <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And John testified and said, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it rested upon him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And Yohannan testified and said: “I saw The Spirit who was descending from Heaven like a dove and remaining upon him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And John testified, saying: I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remained on Him. <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it rested upon him. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and John testified, saying, I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And John testified, saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of Heaven, and He abode upon Him. <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it abode upon Him. <a href="/parallel/john/1-32.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=232" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Jesus the Lamb of God</a> …31I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” 32<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: emartyrēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">testified,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/2300.htm" title="2300: Tetheamai (V-RIM/P-1S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit.">“I saw</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/2597.htm" title="2597: katabainon (V-PPA-ANS) -- To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.">descending</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">like</a> <a href="/greek/4058.htm" title="4058: peristeran (N-AFS) -- A dove, pigeon. Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon.">a dove</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: emeinen (V-AIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">resting</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> 33I 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.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a> As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. <a href="/mark/1-10.htm">Mark 1:10</a> As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. <a href="/luke/3-22.htm">Luke 3:22</a> and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” <a href="/john/1-33.htm">John 1:33</a> 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.’ <a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4</a> And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Acts 10:38</a> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. <a href="/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34</a> For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. <a href="/romans/8-16.htm">Romans 8:16</a> The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. <a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">1 John 5:6</a> This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a> The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, <a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a> And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it stayed on him.I saw.<a href="/john/5-32.htm">John 5:32</a> There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.<a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a> And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:<a href="/mark/1-10.htm">Mark 1:10</a> And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/21-37.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Descend</a> <a href="/luke/19-37.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/luke/3-23.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/luke/24-51.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/1-29.htm">John</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">Record</a> <a href="/luke/21-6.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/luke/24-39.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/mark/8-32.htm">Stating</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-39.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/john/1-38.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Descend</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/genesis/8-8.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/1-35.htm">John</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Record</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/acts/22-24.htm">Stating</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/1-34.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then John testified John the Baptist serves as a key witness to the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. His role as a forerunner is prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> and <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>. Testimony in Jewish culture was crucial for establishing truth, and John's testimony provides a divine endorsement of Jesus' mission.I saw the Spirit descending from heaven This event marks the divine approval of Jesus' ministry. The descent of the Spirit signifies the anointing of Jesus, fulfilling prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a> and <a href="/isaiah/61.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a>. The Spirit's descent from heaven indicates a direct connection to God, affirming Jesus' divine nature.like a dove The dove symbolizes peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. In <a href="/genesis/8-11.htm">Genesis 8:11</a>, a dove brings an olive leaf to Noah, symbolizing new beginnings. Here, the dove represents the Holy Spirit's gentle and peaceful nature, contrasting with the judgment often associated with the Spirit in the Old Testament.and resting on Him The Spirit's resting on Jesus signifies a permanent anointing, unlike the temporary empowerment seen in Old Testament figures. This fulfills <a href="/isaiah/42.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a>, where God's chosen servant is endowed with the Spirit. It marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A pivotal prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He is known for baptizing Jesus and recognizing Him as the Messiah. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit.htm">The Spirit</a> Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who descends upon Jesus, signifying divine approval and empowerment for His ministry. 3. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The realm of God, from which the Holy Spirit descends, indicating divine origin and authority. 4. <a href="/topical/d/dove.htm">Dove</a> A symbol of peace and purity, representing the Holy Spirit's gentle and peaceful nature. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure of Christianity, recognized here as the one upon whom the Spirit rests, affirming His identity as the Son of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The descent of the Spirit upon Jesus signifies the beginning of His public ministry and the empowerment by God. Believers are also called to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in their lives. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_dove.htm">Symbolism of the Dove</a> The dove represents peace, purity, and the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit. Christians are encouraged to embody these qualities in their walk with God. <a href="/topical/d/divine_affirmation.htm">Divine Affirmation</a> Just as the Spirit's descent affirmed Jesus' identity, believers can find assurance in their identity as children of God through the Holy Spirit's presence in their lives. <a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> The event fulfills Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises. <a href="/topical/w/witness_and_testimony.htm">Witness and Testimony</a> John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus challenges believers to boldly testify about their faith and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/did_john_recognize_jesus_post-baptism.htm">Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus after his baptism? Yes (John 1:32, 33) No (Matthew 11:2)</a> <a href="/q/holy_spirit_symbols.htm">What are the symbols of the Holy Spirit?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_control.htm">What are the symbols of the Holy Spirit?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_records_of_god's_voice_in_matthew.htm">How could an event as dramatic as the heavens opening and an audible voice from God leave no corroborative historical or eyewitness accounts? (Matthew 3:16-17)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(32, 33) In these verses the Evangelist again makes prominent the solemn witness of John, giving the process by which conviction had come to his own mind.(32) I saw.--Better, I have seen, or beheld. The vision is in its result ever present, and is all-conclusive evidence. (Comp. the words in their historic setting, <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm" title="And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:">Matthew 3:16</a>, Note.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 32, 33. - And John bore testimony, saying, I have seen (perfect) the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it (he) abode upon him. And I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with (in) water, he said to me, Upon whomsoever thou mayest see the Holy Spirit descending, and abiding on him, this (one) is he that baptizeth with (in) the Holy Spirit. The preparation by special teaching for a mysterious vision is the key to the vision itself, which John is here said to have described. There can be no reasonable doubt that the evangelist makes reference to the synoptic tradition of the baptism of Jesus by John, although it may suit some uncompromising opponents of the Fourth Gospel to say that the baptism is here omitted. The act of the rite is not totidem verbis described; but the chief accompaniment and real meaning of the baptism is specially portrayed. All the well known cycles of criticism make their special assault on the narratives at this point. Rationalism finds in a thunderstorm and the casual flight of a pigeon what John magnified into a supernatural portent; Straussianism sees the growth of a legend from prepared sources of Hebrew tradition, and endeavours to aggravate into irreconcilable discrepancy the various accounts; Baur and Hilgenfeld accentuate the objectively supernatural portent, so as the more easily to put it into the region of ignorant superstition; others find the hint or sign of Gnostic handling; and Keim suggests that it is the poetic colouring which a later age unconsciously attributed to the Baptist and the Christ. Let it be noticed: (1) That the present Gospel does not augment, but diminishes, the miraculous element as compared with the synoptic narrative. The 'Gospel of the Hebrews ' added further embellishments still. Our Gospel compels us to believe that the mind of the Baptist was the chief region of the miracle. (2) The author of this Gospel might, if he had chosen, have selected his own experience on the Mount of Transfiguration in vindication of a Divine attestation of the Sonship; but he preferred to fall back upon the testimony of his revered master. Peter, James, and John were unprepared for what they saw and heard on that occasion; and Peter knew not what he said, so great was the awful wonder that fell upon him then. Here, however, is recorded a vision for which the mind of the great forerunner was prepared. He expected to see the Spirit of God in some manner blend his energy with that of the individual who would prove to be the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost. (3) John does not discriminate the methods of the two communications, and from this narrative all that could be inferred positively is that the mind of John, by objective or subjective process, of which we know nothing, received the communication and the sacred impression. . . . <a href="/commentaries/john/1-32.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. John Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. testified, ἐμαρτύρησεν (emartyrēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. “I saw Τεθέαμαι (Tetheamai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2300.htm">Strong's 2300: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit Πνεῦμα (Pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. descending καταβαῖνον (katabainon) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2597.htm">Strong's 2597: </a> To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend. from ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. heaven οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. like ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. a dove περιστερὰν (peristeran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4058.htm">Strong's 4058: </a> A dove, pigeon. Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. resting ἔμεινεν (emeinen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. on ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. Him. αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-32.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:32 John testified saying I have seen (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:33" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>