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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 1:31 I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/43_Jhn_01_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:31 - Jesus the Lamb of God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/1-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/1-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/1-30.htm" title="John 1:30">◄</a> John 1:31 <a href="/john/1-32.htm" title="John 1:32">►</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> I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I did not know Him. But so that He might be revealed to Israel, because of this, I came baptizing with water." <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And I did not recognize Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I did not know Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing with water.” <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be [publicly] revealed to Israel.” <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I didn&#8217t know Him, but I came baptizing with water so He might be revealed to Israel.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I didn't know who he was. But I came to baptize you with water, so that everyone in Israel would see him. <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing with water. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I didn't know who he was. However, I came to baptize with water to show him to the people of Israel." <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> I did not know who he would be, but I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel." <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> I didn't recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.? <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel." <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I did not know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel." <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water." <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water, that he would be revealed to Israel.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and I did not know Him, but that He might be revealed to Israel, because of this I came immersing in water.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I did not know Him. But so that He might be revealed to Israel, because of this, I came baptizing with water." <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and I knew him not, but, that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came with the water baptizing. <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I knew him not: but that he might be manifested to Israel, for this I came immersing in water.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I knew him not, but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I did not know him. Yet it is for this reason that I come baptizing with water: so that he may be made manifest in Israel.” <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I did not know him; but that he might be made known to Israel, I came to baptize with water. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And I did not know him, but so that he should be made known to Israel, therefore I have come to baptize in water.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, for this reason I have come immersing in water. <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And I did not know Him, but in order that He may be made manifest to Israel, on this account I came baptizing with water. <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And I knew him not: though that he might be manifested to Israel, therefore am I come baptising with water. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I knew him not: but therefore am I come baptizing with water, that he might be manifest to Israel. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water." <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And I knew Him not; but, that He might be manifested to Israel, for this cause I came immersing in water." <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And I knew Him not: but therefore came I baptizing with water, that He might be made known to Israel. <a href="/parallel/john/1-31.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=223" 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> …30This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ 31<a href="/greek/2504.htm" title="2504: kagō (PPro-N1S) -- To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.">I myself</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">did not</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: ēdein (V-LIA-1S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">know</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> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">the reason</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come, go. ">came</a> <a href="/greek/907.htm" title="907: baptizōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. ">baptizing</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/5204.htm" title="5204: hydati (N-DNS) -- Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.">water</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">was that</a> <a href="/greek/5319.htm" title="5319: phanerōthē (V-ASP-3S) -- To make clear (visible, manifest), make known. From phaneros; to render apparent.">He might be revealed</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">to Israel.”</a> 32Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.…<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/3-13.htm">Matthew 3:13-17</a> At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. / But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” / “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. ... <a href="/mark/1-9.htm">Mark 1:9-11</a> In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. / 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. / And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” <a href="/luke/3-21.htm">Luke 3:21-22</a> When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, / 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/1-29.htm">John 1:29-30</a> The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ <a href="/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32-34</a> Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. / 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.’ / I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-8</a> There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a> Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3-5</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. / Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. / And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10</a> This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ <a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-3</a> As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” <a href="/luke/7-27.htm">Luke 7:27</a> This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-36</a> You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. ... <a href="/john/10-41.htm">John 10:41</a> Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.I knew.<a href="/john/1-33.htm">John 1:33</a> 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.<a href="/luke/1-80.htm">Luke 1:80</a> And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.<a href="/luke/2-39.htm">Luke 2:39-42</a> And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth… but.<a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a> The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3-5</a> The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God… <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.therefore.<a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6</a> And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.<a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3-5</a> The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight… <a href="/luke/3-3.htm">Luke 3:3,4</a> And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-28.htm">Baptising</a> <a href="/john/1-28.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/john/1-28.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/luke/24-22.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/luke/24-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Manifest</a> <a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Manifested</a> <a href="/john/1-20.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/luke/23-41.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/1-10.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Revealed</a> <a href="/luke/1-58.htm">Shown</a> <a href="/john/1-26.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-23.htm">Baptising</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/john/5-16.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/john/1-47.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/john/3-21.htm">Manifest</a> <a href="/john/2-11.htm">Manifested</a> <a href="/john/2-11.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/john/5-16.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/john/2-11.htm">Revealed</a> <a href="/john/3-21.htm">Shown</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Water</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'; 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Despite being relatives (<a href="/luke/1-36.htm">Luke 1:36</a>), John did not recognize Jesus' divine identity until it was revealed to him. This highlights the divine nature of Jesus' mission and the necessity of spiritual revelation. It underscores the theme of divine revelation, as seen in <a href="/matthew/16-17.htm">Matthew 16:17</a>, where Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Christ is attributed to divine revelation rather than human insight.but the reason I came baptizing with water John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, preparing the way for the Lord (<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>). Baptism with water symbolized purification and readiness for the coming Messiah. This act was not just a ritual but a prophetic action, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and setting the stage for the new covenant. John's role as a forerunner is emphasized in <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>, where a messenger is foretold to prepare the way for the Lord.was that He might be revealed to Israel. The primary purpose of John's ministry was to reveal Jesus to Israel as the promised Messiah. This revelation was crucial for the Jewish people, who were anticipating the fulfillment of messianic prophecies such as those in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a> and <a href="/daniel/9-25.htm">Daniel 9:25-26</a>. John's testimony and baptism served as a divine introduction of Jesus to the nation, marking the beginning of His public ministry. This revelation is a fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a>, and is a pivotal moment in redemptive history.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He baptized with water as a sign of repentance and to reveal Jesus to Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure of Christianity, Jesus is the Messiah whom John the Baptist came to reveal to Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation to whom Jesus was revealed as the Messiah. Israel holds a significant place in biblical history as God's chosen people. 4. <a href="/topical/b/baptism_with_water.htm">Baptism with Water</a> A symbolic act of repentance and purification, used by John the Baptist to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/r/revelation_of_the_messiah.htm">Revelation of the Messiah</a> The event of Jesus being revealed as the Messiah to Israel, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_preparation.htm">The Role of Preparation</a> John the Baptist's mission was to prepare the way for Jesus. In our lives, we are called to prepare our hearts and the hearts of others to receive Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_revelation.htm">The Importance of Revelation</a> Just as John baptized to reveal Jesus to Israel, we are called to reveal Christ through our actions and words. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_mission.htm">Understanding Our Mission</a> Like John, we may not always fully understand God's plan, but we are called to be faithful in our roles. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_as_a_foundation.htm">Repentance as a Foundation</a> Baptism with water symbolizes repentance, which is foundational in our relationship with God. We must continually turn away from sin and towards God. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_to_others.htm">Witnessing to Others</a> John’s life was a testimony to Jesus. We are also called to be witnesses, sharing the truth of Christ with those around us.<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/why_did_john_baptize_in_the_jordan.htm">Why did John baptize people in the Jordan River?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_his_son's_name.htm">What does 'baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire' mean?</a> <a href="/q/can_1_john_5_6's_'water_and_blood'_be_proven.htm">Can 1 John 5:6's reference to 'water and blood' be reconciled with any verifiable historical or scientific data?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_ultra-dispensationalism.htm">What defines Ultra-Dispensationalism in Christian theology?</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>(31) And I knew him not.--Better, and I also knew Him not; so again in <a href="/john/1-33.htm" title="And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said to me, On whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.">John 1:33</a>. The reference is to "whom ye know not" of <a href="/john/1-26.htm" title="John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not;">John 1:26</a>, and the assertion is not, therefore, inconsistent with the fact that John did know Him on His approach to baptism (<a href="/matthew/3-13.htm" title="Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.">Matthew 3:13</a>, see Note). In the sense that they did not know Him standing among them, he did not know Him, though with the incidents of His birth and earlier years and even features he must have been familiar. It cannot be that the Son of Mary was unknown to the son of Elizabeth, though One had dwelt in Nazareth and the other "was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (<a href="/luke/1-80.htm" title="And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing to Israel.">Luke 1:80</a>; <a href="/luke/2-51.htm" title="And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.">Luke 2:51</a>). He knew not all, but there must have been many wondering thoughts of that wondrous life. Could it be the life that all looked for? but no; there was little of the Jewish idea of the Messiah in the carpenter of a country village (comp. <a href="/mark/6-3.htm" title="Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.">Mark 6:3</a>). What he did know was, that his own work as herald declared "that He should be made manifest to Israel," and in that conviction he proclaimed the coming King, and began the Messianic baptism. The Person would be His own witness. Heaven would give its own sign to those who could spiritually read it. The Baptiser with the Spirit would Himself be so fully baptised with the Spirit coming upon and dwelling in Him, that to the spiritual eye it would take visual form and be seen "as a dove descending from heaven." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 31-34. - (3) The purpose of John's own mission was to introduce to Israel the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost. Verse 31. - And I for my part knew him not. This is thought by some to be incompatible with the statement of <a href="/matthew/3-14.htm">Matthew 3:14</a>, where the Baptist displayed sufficient knowledge of Jesus to have exclaimed, "I have need to be baptized of thee." Early commentators, e.g. Ammonius, quoted in 'Catena Patrum,' suggested that John's long residence in the wilderness had prevented his knowing his kinsman; Chrysostom, 'Hom. 16. in Joannem,' urged that he was not familiar with his person; Epiphanius, 'Adv. Haer.,' 30, and Justin Martyr, 'Dial.,' 100, 88, refer to a long passage in the 'Gospel of the Ebionites,' which, notwithstanding numerous perversions, yet suggests a method of conciliation of the two narratives, that the sign of the opening heavens and the voice occasioned the consternation of John, and explains his deprecation of the act which he had already performed (see my 'John the Baptist,' pp. 313, 314; Nicholson, 'Gospel according to the Hebrews,' pp. 38-40). Neander has suggested the true explanation: "In contradistinction to that which John now saw in the Divine light, all his previous knowledge appeared to be a non-knowledge." John knew of Jesus, as his kinsman; he knew him as One mightier than himself - One whose coming, as compared with his own, was as the coming of the Lord. When Jesus approached him for baptism, John therefore knew quite enough to make him hesitate to baptize the Christ. He knew more than enough to induce him to say, "I have need to be baptized of thee." Godet imagines that, since baptism was preceded by confession, John found that the confession made by Jesus was of such a lofty, saintly, God-like type of repudiation of sin, as that John himself had never attained to. This representation fails from attributing to John the function of a sacerdotal confessor of later days, and is out of harmony altogether with the meaning and potency of our Lord's confession of the sin of the whole of that human nature which he had taken upon himself. The knowledge which John had of Jesus was as nothing to the blaze of light which burst upon him when he realized the idea that Jesus was the Son of God. The "I knew him not" of this verse was a subsequent reflection of the Baptist when the sublime humility, the dovelike sweetness, and the spiritual might of Jesus were revealed to him. A blind man who had received his sight during the hours of darkness might imagine, when he saw the reflected glory of the moon or morning star in the eye of dawn, that he knew the nature and had felt the glory of light; but amidst the splendours of sunrise or of noon he might justly say, "I knew it not" (compare the language of Paul, <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a>, and of this same evangelist, <a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Revelation 1:17</a>. See Archdeacon Farrar's 'Life of Christ,' vol. 1:117; my 'John the Baptist,' p. 315). But that he should be manifested to Israel, for this cause I came baptizing in (with) water. It was traditionally expected that Elijah should anoint Messiah. John perceives now the transitional nature of his own mission. His baptism retires into the background. He sees that its whole meaning was the introduction of Messiah, the manifestation of the Son of God to Israel. It may be said that the ministry of the wilderness, with the vast impression it produced, is represented by the synoptists as of more essential importance in itself. John's own judgment, however, here recorded, is the true key to the whole representation. The synoptic narrative shows very clearly that, as a matter of fact, the Johannine ministry culminated at the baptism of Jesus, and lost itself in the dawn of the great day which it inaugurated and heralded. The Fourth Gospel does but give the rationale of such an arrangement, and refer the origin of the idea to John himself. If John did not intensify the sense of sin which Messiah was to soothe and take away; if John did not, by baptism with water, excite a desire for an infinitely nobler and more precious baptism; if John did not prepare a way for One of vastly more moment to mankind and to the kingdom of God than himself, - his whole work was a failure. In that John saw his own relation to the Christ - he saw his own place in the dispensations of Providence. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I myself κἀγὼ (kagō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2504.htm">Strong's 2504: </a> To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me. {did} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. know ᾔδειν (ēdein) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. 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. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. the reason διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. came ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. baptizing βαπτίζων (baptizōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_907.htm">Strong's 907: </a> Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. water ὕδατι (hydati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5204.htm">Strong's 5204: </a> Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively. [was] that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. He might be revealed φανερωθῇ (phanerōthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5319.htm">Strong's 5319: </a> To make clear (visible, manifest), make known. From phaneros; to render apparent. to Israel.” Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-31.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:31 I didn't know him but for this (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:32" /></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>