John 1:28
What does John 1:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:28 means
This verse provides the geographical setting for John's baptizing ministry and his encounter with the Jewish delegates: "Bethany beyond the Jordan." This specific location is significant, contrasting with Bethany near Jerusalem. It places John's ministry in a less populated, more remote area, fulfilling the prophecy of a voice crying in the wilderness while also providing a precise historical context for these events, grounding the spiritual narrative in real places and times.
John 1:28 in context
John 1 — The Word Made Flesh
John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.
- Pre-existence of Christ
- Incarnation
- Light and life
- First disciples
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
KJV
King James Version · 1611These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949These things took place at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was giving baptism.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862These things came to pass in Bethabara, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890These things took place in Bethany, across the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Context
This verse acts as a geographical interlude, pinpointing the location where the preceding exchange between John and the Jewish delegation took place. It grounds the narrative in a specific historical setting, lending credibility to the events. This placement, immediately following John's powerful testimony about the greater One, sets the scene for Jesus' public appearance, which will occur in this very vicinity, connecting John's testimony directly to Jesus' physical presence.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
- Judges 7:24
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying, Come down against Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan.
- John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
- John 10:40
And he went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there he abode.
Sermon ideas from John 1:28
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:28 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:28 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:28 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:28 teaches us about first disciples
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