1 John 5:6
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Original Language Analysis
Οὗτός
This
G3778
Οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 35
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθὼν
he that came
G2064
ἐλθὼν
he that came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 35
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 35
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἵματι·
blood
G129
αἵματι·
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
8 of 35
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
Ἰησοῦς
even Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
even Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 35
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
17 of 35
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἵματι·
blood
G129
αἵματι·
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
23 of 35
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμά
the Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμά
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
26 of 35
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυροῦν
that beareth witness
G3140
μαρτυροῦν
that beareth witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
29 of 35
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
30 of 35
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμά
the Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμά
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
32 of 35
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
Cross References
Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.Hebrews 12:24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.Mark 14:24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.Revelation 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Matthew 26:28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Historical Context
The phrase "water and blood" likely addressed specific heresy in the Johannine community. Cerinthus taught that the divine Christ descended on Jesus at baptism (water) but departed before crucifixion, leaving mere man Jesus to die. John refutes this—Jesus Christ came by both water and blood, remaining fully God and fully man throughout His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection.
The Spirit's testimony was central to early Christian proclamation. At Pentecost, the Spirit's coming authenticated the apostles' witness (Acts 2). The Spirit continues testifying by convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), illuminating Scripture, and producing fruit in believers' lives. Against claims requiring additional revelation or tradition, Protestants emphasized the Spirit's internal testimony authenticating Scripture's truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's coming by both water (baptism) and blood (crucifixion) refute false teaching that denies His full humanity or atoning death?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in your understanding of and confidence in Jesus Christ's identity and saving work?
- Why is it important that Christ remained fully God and fully man through both His ministry and His death on the cross?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. John emphasizes Jesus Christ's coming "by water and blood"—a difficult phrase with several interpretations. "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ" (houtos estin ho elthōn di' hydatos kai haimatos Iēsous Christos). The aorist participle "came" indicates historical arrival—the incarnation and ministry of Jesus Christ.
"By water and blood" likely refers to Jesus's baptism (water) and crucifixion (blood), bracketing His public ministry with authentication from start to finish. Alternatively, it may reference the water and blood flowing from Christ's pierced side (John 19:34), confirming His true death. Against docetic heresy claiming the divine Christ descended at Jesus's baptism but departed before crucifixion, John insists Christ came "not by water only, but by water and blood"—the divine Christ was present through both baptism and crucifixion. The incarnation included suffering and death, not merely teaching ministry.
"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth" (kai to pneuma estin to martyroun hoti to pneuma estin hē alētheia). The Spirit provides ongoing testimony to Christ's person and work. The Spirit descended at Christ's baptism (Matthew 3:16), empowered His ministry (Luke 4:18), and continues testifying to believers (John 15:26). The Spirit's testimony is reliable because He is truth—His nature guarantees His witness's veracity. This Trinity of witnesses (Spirit, water, blood) establishes Christ's identity conclusively.