John 1:26
John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 17
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
βαπτίζω
baptize
G907
βαπτίζω
baptize
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
7 of 17
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ἕστηκεν
there standeth one
G2476
ἕστηκεν
there standeth one
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
13 of 17
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Acts 1:5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.Mark 1:8I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:Luke 3:16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:John 8:19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.Acts 11:16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.John 17:25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.John 16:3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Historical Context
John's baptism was for repentance, preparing for the Coming One. Proselyte baptism was practiced for Gentile converts; John's innovation was applying it to Jews, implying they too needed cleansing. The leaders' question about authority missed the point—the ultimate authority stood in their midst, unrecognized because of their spiritual blindness.
Questions for Reflection
- How might Christ be 'standing among us' today in ways we fail to recognize?
- What blinded the religious leaders from recognizing Christ, and how can we avoid similar blindness?
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Analysis & Commentary
John reveals a mysterious presence: 'there standeth one among you, whom ye know not.' This is the first hint of Christ's presence in the narrative. The religious leaders question John's authority to baptize if he's neither Messiah nor prophet, yet the true answer stands unrecognized among them. The irony is profound—the one who authorizes all authority stands unnoticed. John's water baptism contrasts with what Christ will bring—Spirit baptism that accomplishes what water only symbolizes.