"And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." — John 1:31

John 1:31 · KJV

“And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”

— John 1:31

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

John 1 — Context

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. {taketh away: or, beareth}

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

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.

Cross References

Malachi 3:1

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Luke 1:17

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. {to the wisdom: or, by the wisdom}

John 1:33

John 1:7

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all {men} through him might believe.

Matthew 3:6

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Mark 1:3-5

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Luke 3:3-4

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Malachi 4:2-5

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.