John 1:26 Meaning and Explanation
“John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John answers that he baptizes only with water, and that One they do not know already stands among them.
What Does John 1:26 Mean?
John barely defends himself, I baptize with water, and immediately turns the spotlight away: there standeth one among you, whom ye know not. The Messiah is no longer a distant hope. He is a present fact, already in the crowd, breathing the same air as his examiners, and entirely unrecognized.
The sentence trembles with wonder and warning at once. Christ can be present and unperceived; nearness is not the same as knowledge. These men had traveled from Jerusalem to assess a baptizer while the Lord himself stood among them unknown. It is the grief of verse 10 happening in real time, and a summons to open our eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 1:26
What does John 1:26 mean?
John answers that he baptizes only with water, and that One they do not know already stands among them.