(43-05a)
For this week’s study:
- Any time you read or study the Bible, always start with prayer, asking God to guide you, so you understand God’s message and learn His methods for living.
- Read John 1:29–34 several times using your Bible, and the two translations provided below, to understand the boundaries, content and flow of the study passage. (Reading the passage once a day from any of those translations is recommended.)
- Then, explore the “Study Guide” and “Study Resources” provided below.
Read the Passage
Berean Standard Bible
(BSB)
Jesus the Lamb of God
(c.p. Matthew 3:13–17;
Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22)
<29> The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! <30> This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ <31> I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”
<32> Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. <33> 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.’ <34> I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.1”
Word Come Alive
(WCA)
(An extended translation)*
‘Look who’s coming: the Lamb of God!’
<29>The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him. John called out, ‘Look who’s coming! Here’s the Lamb of God! He’s the One who takes on himself the sin of the whole world. He is going to remove the burden of sin from all humanity. He bears all our guilt so that we can be forgiven. <30>This is the Person I was talking about when I said, “The One who comes after me is far greater than me, because he existed long before I was born.” <31>There was a time when I didn’t know who Jesus really was, but the whole purpose of my life and work, why I came and baptized with water, was to point to Jesus, the Lamb of God, that he might be made known to his people Israel.’
<32>John continued to declare the truth about what he saw, ‘I watched the Holy Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and rest on Jesus. <33>As I just said, I didn’t know who Jesus really was—that he was the Messiah—but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” <34>I have seen him with my own eyes and gladly confirm the truth. He is God’s Chosen One, the Son of God.’
*Words in italics are not translated from the original Greek text. They have been added to explain and at times apply the text, much as a preacher does on a Sunday or notes do at the foot of the page in a study Bible. These additions are integrated with the text itself, and are in italics, so readers can see what has been explained, changed or added.
Study the Passage
Study Guide
Based on the details of this study passage:
- What did John the Baptist hear/see?
- What did John the Baptist say?
- What have you seen/learned about Jesus?
- What can/will you tell others about Jesus?
Have any outstanding questions regarding this study passage? Write them down and bring them to the Bible study gathering so we can work on them together.
Study Resources
For a deeper study of John 1:29-34, read the commentary on each verse, beginning at: https://www.bibleref.com/John/1/John-1-29.html. (Also read the Context Summary and the Chapter Summary.)
If you have any unanswered questions about the passage, type your question in the search box in the top-left corner of https://www.gotquestions.org/.
A list of recommended Bible Study tools to enhance your understanding of the Bible is available HERE.
Thessalonian Faith 