John 1:31
What does John 1:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:31 means
John confesses that he himself did not initially recognize Jesus as the Messiah, despite being relatives. His baptizing ministry, therefore, was specifically for the purpose of making Jesus manifest, or known, to Israel. This highlights God’s sovereign plan: John's ministry created a public platform and stirred expectation, leading to the divine revelation of Jesus. John's not knowing Jesus personally beforehand further validates his later identification as divinely revealed, not based on prior acquaintance.
John 1:31 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 · 2000And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I myself had no knowledge of him, but I came giving baptism with water so that he might be seen openly by Israel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I knew him not, but, that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came with the water baptizing.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I knew him not: but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and I knew him not; but that he might be manifested to Israel, therefore have I come baptising with water.
Context
This verse expands on John's personal journey of recognizing Jesus, a crucial detail following his profound public declaration in verses 29-30. His admission of not initially knowing Jesus emphasizes that his identification of the Messiah was not due to personal bias or prior knowledge, but rather a divine revelation. This sets the stage for the explanation of how he *did* come to know Him, which is revealed in the subsequent verses, ultimately confirming Jesus' identity through divine signs.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 3:6
and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
- Luke 2:39
And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
- Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
- John 1:7
The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
- Luke 3:3
And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins;
- Isaiah 40:3
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.
Sermon ideas from John 1:31
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:31 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:31 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:31 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:31 teaches us about first disciples
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