John 1:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →John did not know Jesus as Messiah beforehand; his baptizing ministry existed so that Christ might be revealed to Israel.
What Does John 1:31 Mean?
Though Jesus and John were kinsmen, John insists, I knew him not: he did not know him as the Messiah until God made it plain. And his entire ministry, he now sees, served one purpose larger than he could see while performing it, that he should be made manifest to Israel.
John baptized in obedience for a long season before understanding the whole design. So it often goes: God assigns the work first and discloses its meaning later. Somewhere in your own obedience, quiet, repetitive, seemingly preliminary, a purpose is ripening that will one day stand revealed. The water was never the point; the One it revealed was.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 1:31
What does John 1:31 mean?
John did not know Jesus as Messiah beforehand; his baptizing ministry existed so that Christ might be revealed to Israel.