Joh 1:29-35 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 29. The next day . The day after the Jews made inquiry whether he was the Christ. Behold the Lamb of God . A lamb , among the Jews, was killed and eaten at the Passover to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt, . A lamb was offered in the tabernacle, and afterward in the temple, every morning and evening, as a part of the daily worship, . The Messiah was predicted as a lamb led to the slaughter, to show his patience in his sufferings, and readiness to die for man, . A lamb, among the Jews, was also an emblem of patience, meekness, gentleness. On all these accounts, rather than on any one of them alone, Jesus was called the Lamb. He was innocent ( ); he was a sacrifice for sin--the substance represented by the daily offering of the lamb, and slain at the usual time of the evening sacrifice ( ); and he was what was represented by the Passover, turning away the anger of God, and saving sinners by his blood from vengeance and eternal death, . Of God . Appointed by God, approved by God, and most dear to him; the sacrifice which he chose , and which he approves to save men from death. Which taketh away . This denotes his bearing the sins of the world, or the sufferings which made an atonement for sin. Comp. . He takes away sin by bearing in his own body the sufferings which God appointed to show his sense of the evil of sin, thus magnifying the law, and rendering it consistent for him to pardon. , . Of the world . Of all mankind, Jew and Gentile. His work was not to be confined to the Jew, but was also to benefit the Gentile' it was not confined to any one part of the world, but was designed to open the way of pardon to all men. He was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, . . (f) "Lamb of God" (g) "which" (3) "taketh" or, "beareth"

John 1:29-35

Verse 29. The next day. The day after the Jews made inquiry whether he was the Christ.

Behold the Lamb of God. A lamb, among the Jews, was killed and eaten at the Passover to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt, Ex 12:3-11. A lamb was offered in the tabernacle, and afterward in the temple, every morning and evening, as a part of the daily worship, Ex 29:38,39. The Messiah was predicted as a lamb led to the slaughter, to show his patience in his sufferings, and readiness to die for man, Isa 53:7. A lamb, among the Jews, was also an emblem of patience, meekness, gentleness. On all these accounts, rather than on any one of them alone, Jesus was called the Lamb. He was innocent (1Pet 2:23-25); he was a sacrifice for sin--the substance represented by the daily offering of the lamb, and slain at the usual time of the evening sacrifice (Lk 23:44-46); and he was what was represented by the Passover, turning away the anger of God, and saving sinners by his blood from vengeance and eternal death, 1Cor 5:7.

Of God. Appointed by God, approved by God, and most dear to him; the sacrifice which he chose, and which he approves to save men from death.

Which taketh away. This denotes his bearing the sins of the world, or the sufferings which made an atonement for sin. Comp. Isa 53:4, 1Jn 3:5, 1Pet 2:24. He takes away sin by bearing in his own body the sufferings which God appointed to show his sense of the evil of sin, thus magnifying the law, and rendering it consistent for him to pardon. Rom 3:24, Rom 3:25.

Of the world. Of all mankind, Jew and Gentile. His work was not to be confined to the Jew, but was also to benefit the Gentile' it was not confined to any one part of the world, but was designed to open the way of pardon to all men. He was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, 1Jn 2:2. 2Cor 5:15.

(f) "Lamb of God" Ex 12:3, Isa 53:7,11, Rev 5:6 (g) "which" Acts 13:39, 1Pet 2:24, Rev 1:5 (3) "taketh" or, "beareth" Heb 9:28 Verse 31. I knew him not. John was not personally acquainted with Jesus. Though they were remotely related to each other, yet it seems that they had had heretofore no personal acquaintance. John had lived chiefly in the hill country of Judea. Jesus had been employed with Joseph at Nazareth. Until Jesus came to be baptized (Mt 3:13,14), it seems that John had no acquaintance with him. He understood that he was to announce that the Messiah was about to appear. He was sent to proclaim his coming, but he did not personally know Jesus, or that he was to be the Messiah. This proves that there could have been no collusion or agreement between them to impose on the people.

Should be made manifest. That the Messiah should be exhibited, or made known. He came to prepare the way for the Messiah, and it now appeared that the Messiah was Jesus of Nazareth.

To Israel. To the Jews. Verse 32. Bare record. Gave testimony.

I saw the Spirit, &c. Mt 3:16,17 Verses 33, 34. The same said, &c. This was the sign by which he was to know the Messiah. He was to see the Spirit descending like a dove and abiding on him. It does not follow, however, that he had no intimation before this that Jesus was the Christ, but it means that by this he should infallibly know it. From Mt 3:13,14, it seems that John supposed, before the baptism of Jesus, that he claimed to be the Messiah, and that he believed it; but the infallible, certain, testimony in the case was the descent of the Holy Spirit on him at his baptism.

That this is the Son of God. This was distinctly declared by a voice from heaven at his baptism, Mt 3:17. This John heard, and he testified that he had heard it.

(h) "descending and remaining" Jn 3:34 (i) "baptizeth" Acts 1:5, 2:4 Verse 35. The next day. The day after his remarkable testimony that Jesus was the Son of God. This testimony of John is reported because it was the main design of this evangelist to show that Jesus was the Messiah. See the Introduction. To do this, he adduces the decided and repeated testimony of John the Baptist. This was impartial evidence in the case, and hence he so particularly dwells upon it.

John stood. Or was standing. This was probably apart from the multitude.

Two of his disciples. One of these was Andrew (Jn 1:40), and it is not improbable that the other was the writer of this gospel.