John

[DebJo]

Jn 1:31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Jn 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. u
Jn 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water v told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ w
Jn 1:34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” x


Mt 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Mt 3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Mt 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, q and he saw the Spirit of God r descending like a dove and lighting on him.

My question is did John the Baptist know who Jesus was? In John it makes it sound like he did not until after he baptized him. Matthew makes it sound like he knew before.He leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb, they were cousins, didn't they do family functions together? I always assumed John knew who Jesus was all through his life.

[JoelH]

Jn 1:31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Jn 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. u
Jn 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water v told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ w
Jn 1:34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” x


Mt 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Mt 3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Mt 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, q and he saw the Spirit of God r descending like a dove and lighting on him.

My question is did John the Baptist know who Jesus was? In John it makes it sound like he did not until after he baptized him. Matthew makes it sound like he knew before.He leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb, they were cousins, didn't they do family functions together? I always assumed John knew who Jesus was all through his life.

I haven't done any in depth study of the passages myself, but the meaning seems to be John the Baptist knew Jesus only as person, as his cousin, and did not realize that He is also God. In other words, John knew Jesus's humanity but not His deity before he baptized Him. <><

[DebJo]

Thanks I have never noticed the difference in these two scriptures before.
Am perplexed.:thinking

[antitox]

John the Baptists knew who Jesus was:

(Matt 3:14) "Ineed to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

(John 1:30) "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

(John 1:33) "I myself did not know him; but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

The place where John is in prison and asks if he is the one who is to come and it seems likely that John is hearing news of what is going on out there and is seeking confirmation that what he is hearing is actually Jesus who is doing those miracles and creating the stir.

Or it is possible that he could have been at a point of doubt in his life; I really can't say. But we do know from scripture that he was well aware of who Jesus was.

[Kliska]

Jn 1:31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Jn 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. u
Jn 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water v told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ w
Jn 1:34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” x


Mt 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Mt 3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Mt 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, q and he saw the Spirit of God r descending like a dove and lighting on him.

My question is did John the Baptist know who Jesus was? In John it makes it sound like he did not until after he baptized him. Matthew makes it sound like he knew before.He leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb, they were cousins, didn't they do family functions together? I always assumed John knew who Jesus was all through his life.

Here's an interesting notion from Wesley's notes on the Bible: "John 1:31 I knew him not - Till he came to be baptized. How surprising is this; considering how nearly they were related, and how remarkable the conception and birth of both had been. But there was a peculiar providence visible in our Saviour's living, from his infancy to his baptism, at Nazareth: John all the time living the life of a hermit in the deserts of Judea, Luke 1:80, ninety or more miles from Nazareth: hereby that acquaintance was prevented which might have made John's testimony of Christ suspected."

And here is a bit from Matthew Henry's Commentary: "(4.) He protests against any confederacy or combination with this Jesus: And I knew him not. Though there was some relation between them (Elisabeth was cousin to the virgin Mary), yet there was no acquaintance at all between them; John had no personal knowledge of Jesus till he saw him come to his baptism. Their manner of life had been different: John had spent his time in the wilderness, in solitude; Jesus at Nazareth, in conversation. There was no correspondence, no interview between them, that the matter might appear to be wholly carried on by the direction and disposal of Heaven, and not by any design or concert of the persons themselves. And as he hereby disowns all collusion, so also all partiality and sinister regard in it; he could not be supposed to favour him as a friend, for there was no friendship or familiarity between them. Nay, as he could not be biassed to speak honourably of him because he was a stranger to him, he was not able to say any thing of him but what he received from above, to which he appeals, ch. 3:27. Note, They who are taught believe and confess one whom they have not seen, and blessed are they who yet have believed. (5.) The great intention of John's ministry and baptism was to introduce Jesus Christ. That he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. Observe, [1.] Though John did not know Jesus by face, yet he knew that he should be made manifest. Note, We may know the certainty of that which yet we do not fully know the nature and intention of. We know that the happiness of heaven shall be made manifest to Israel, but cannot describe it. [2.] The general assurance John had that Christ should be made manifest served to carry him with diligence and resolution through his work, though he was kept in the dark concerning particulars: Therefore am I come. Our assurance of the reality of things, though they are unseen, is enough to quicken us to our duty. [3.] God reveals himself to his people by degrees. At first, John knew no more concerning Christ but that he should be made manifest; in confidence of that, he came baptizing, and now he is favoured with a sight of him. They who, upon God's word, believe what they do not see, shall shortly see what they now believe. [4.] The ministry of the word and sacraments is designed for no other end than to lead people to Christ, and to make him more and more manifest. [5.] Baptism with water made way for the manifesting of Christ, as it supposed our corruption and filthiness, and signified our cleansing by him who is the fountain opened."

[DebJo]

Thanks Kliska those are very interesting commentary's.
Thanks to everyone. I love to read what everyone has to say. You all are so very knowledgeable. I am learning so much from RR.