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1
God's Sign, Not John's Guess
Commentators highlight that when John said, "I knew him not," he wasn't claiming to be a stranger to Jesus, his relative. Rather, his official testimony as a prophet could not be based on personal knowledge or intuition. God gave him a specific, objective sign—the Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus—to provide an infallible, divinely-authorized confirmation of the Messiah's identity. This underscores that faith rests on God's revelation, not human opinion.
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John
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Commentaries
16
Albert Barnes
On John 1:33–34
18th Century
Theologian
The same said ... - 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 …
AT Robertson
On John 1:33
He said (εκεινος ειπεν). Explicit and emphatic pronoun as in verse 8, referring to God as the one who sent John (verse 6).
…
Charles Ellicott
On John 1:32–33
19th Century
Bishop
I saw.—Better, I have seen, or beheld. The vision is in its result ever present, and is all-conclusive …
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 1:23–37
19th Century
Preacher
Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 1:33
The second aspect of John’s witness to Jesus (see comment on v.29) concerned the title “Son of God.” This aspect was related to the work of the Hol…
John Calvin
On John 1:33
16th Century
Theologian
Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending. Here a difficult question arises; for if John did not know Christ, why does he re…
John Gill
On John 1:33
17th Century
Pastor
And I knew him not
That is, before he came to be baptized by him; when it was secretly suggested to him who he was, …
Matthew Henry
On John 1:29–36
17th Century
Minister
John saw Jesus coming to him and pointed him out as the Lamb of God. The paschal lamb, in the shedding and sprinkling of its blood, the roasting an…