John 1:32 Meaning and Explanation
“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain upon Jesus.
What Does John 1:32 Mean?
John now gives the evidence behind his witness. At Jesus' baptism he saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and, the crucial detail, it abode upon him. Prophets before had known the Spirit's visits in power; on Jesus the Spirit rests and remains, the mark Isaiah gave of the Messiah, on whom the Spirit of the Lord would rest.
Father, Son, and Spirit fill the one scene at the Jordan: the Son in the water, the Spirit descending, and the Father, whose voice of approval the other Gospels record. And there is an old echo here. The dove that once searched the floodwaters for a resting place finds rest at last, and through Christ the Spirit comes to rest on all who are his.
John 1:32 in the Original Language
meno (μένω), 'abode' -- to remain, stay, abide; a favorite word of this Gospel.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 1:32
What does John 1:32 mean?
John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain upon Jesus.