John 1:33
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.
Original Language Analysis
κἀγὼ
And I
G2504
κἀγὼ
And I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
1 of 32
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
ἴδῃς
knew
G1492
ἴδῃς
knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 32
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 32
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
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
5 of 32
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πέμψας
he that sent
G3992
πέμψας
he that sent
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
7 of 32
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
βαπτίζων
he which baptizeth
G907
βαπτίζων
he which baptizeth
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
9 of 32
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ἐκεῖνός
the same
G1565
ἐκεῖνός
the same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
12 of 32
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ἐπ'
Upon
G1909
ἐπ'
Upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 32
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἴδῃς
knew
G1492
ἴδῃς
knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
18 of 32
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματι
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
20 of 32
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μένον
remaining
G3306
μένον
remaining
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
23 of 32
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐπ'
Upon
G1909
ἐπ'
Upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
24 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 32
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
οὗτός
the same
G3778
οὗτός
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
26 of 32
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βαπτίζων
he which baptizeth
G907
βαπτίζων
he which baptizeth
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
29 of 32
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
Cross References
Acts 1:5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.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 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.John 1:31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Historical Context
The promise of Spirit baptism fulfills Old Testament prophecies (Joel 2:28-29, Ezekiel 36:26-27) and John the Baptist's own predictions. This would be realized at Pentecost (Acts 2) and in every subsequent conversion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Spirit baptism differ from and transcend water baptism in its efficacy?
- What does it mean that Christ is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, and how have you experienced this?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God gave John a specific sign: the one on whom the Spirit descends and remains is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. This contrasts John's water baptism (preparatory, external) with Christ's Spirit baptism (regenerating, internal). The Reformed understanding sees Spirit baptism as the application of redemption, incorporating believers into Christ's body and sealing them for salvation.