John 1:29-34
The Lamb of God
Read the passage
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’
31I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”
32Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
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.’
34I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The next day John sees Jesus coming toward him and says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John has been speaking about someone greater, and now he identifies Him in front of the people.
John admits that he did not know Jesus in this revealed role. He had come baptizing with water so that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. His ministry has a purpose beyond itself.
John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus. The One who sent John to baptize had told him that the person on whom the Spirit descends and remains is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
The sign matters because John is not choosing the person he thinks most likely to be the Messiah. God told him what to look for, and he testifies to what he saw. The One who receives the Spirit is also the One who gives the Spirit. John can baptize with water; he cannot give the life Jesus gives.
Calling Jesus the Lamb also tells us why His coming is good news for guilty people. Isaiah 53:6–7 describes the servant bearing others' sin and being led like a lamb to slaughter. Later, 1 Peter 1:18–19 speaks of redemption through Christ's precious blood, like that of a lamb without blemish. John does not explain all of that here, but his announcement directs our hope to Jesus as the One who takes sin away. We need more than someone who can tell us what is wrong; we need the Savior whom God provides.
Questions
1 What does John call Jesus?
AnswerJohn calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, identifying His mission as a saving one.
2 Why had John been baptizing with water?
AnswerHe had been baptizing so that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. John's work prepares people to recognize the One sent by God.
3 What sign does John see?
AnswerHe sees the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus, confirming the sign God had given him.
4 What does John finally testify?
AnswerHe testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. His witness rests on what he has seen rather than on private enthusiasm.
What This Means for Us
When we confess a wrong, our hope rests in what Jesus has done for sinners. Admitting guilt need not end in trying to make ourselves worthy of forgiveness. We turn to the Lamb of God, who deals with the sin we cannot remove ourselves.
A household can speak about Jesus with both reverence and clarity. We are witnesses, not the Savior; our task is to point to Christ and let His Spirit make the truth known.
Prayer
Lamb of God, thank You for bearing the sin of the world. Make our witness clear, keep us dependent on Your Spirit, and teach our household to receive forgiveness with honest repentance. Amen.