Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 1:30-34

"This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water. And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." — John 1:30-34 (ASV)

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 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. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John was acquainted with Jesus, for they were related to one another and were brought up together. However, he did not officially know him as the Messiah until he saw the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on him. That was the Lord's sign by which John was to recognize him. John refused, therefore, to follow any knowledge or judgment of his own. He would not acknowledge Jesus as the Christ until he saw the specific sign for which the Lord had told him to look. As soon as he saw that, John declared that he knew him; and once he knew him in this way, he began to preach him.

Has the Lord given you in your soul a sign that Christ is your Savior? Do you know him by the witness of the Holy Ghost? Then go and speak of him to others and, like John, say, Behold the Lamb of God. Let this be your one business between now and heaven.