Lamb of God John 1:29-39

    29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  John 1:29  KJV

     Here we see John the Baptist in John 1:29-39, first specifically identify Jesus as the Lamb of God who baptizes with fire.   John identifies Jesus as
1. The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world vs.29,36.  See also references to lamb of God in Reveleations 5:6-8, 14:1, 17:14, 19:7-10; 22:1.  The lamb of God may be a reference to Abraham's mention when he was going to the mountain to sacrifice Isaac.  Abraham said that on that mountain God would provide for himself a lamb, a sacrifice Genesis 22:8.  It is also most probably a reference to Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
     The lamb is the one who takes away the sins of the world.  The word "who takes away" bears with it both that Jesus took up the guilt of the sin of the whole world (Ex 28:38; Lev 5:1; Ezek 18:20) and also that he removed it.  The apostle John uses the universal note that he uses again in John 3:16, 4:42, 6:51).  It is the sins of the whole world or kosmos that Jesus removes. 

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.  John 1:30 KJV

2. John identifes Jesus again as having a higher rank than him and that he existed before John. vs.30  This is not a reference to John and Jesus physical body because John was born several months before Jesus.  It is a reference to the eternal nature of Jesus as The Word of God who is eternal.  John has previously mentioned that he is not worthy to untie the sandal straps of Jesus' shoes.  The role of a servant.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 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.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.  John 1:31-34, KJV

3. John himself did not initially recognize Jesus as the Messiah vs.31,33 The Pharisees and Sadducees were looking for a prophet king who would save them from Rome.  John preached Jesus as the Savior of the whole world instead.  But, he only recognized him when he was baptized and the Spirit descended upon him much like a dove.  This was a sign given to John that this was the one whom was the Messiah. There are numerous references to the Spirit falling upon and resting on Jesus in Matthew 3:16-17, Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:37-38..


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