John 1:34 kjv

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John 1:34 nkjv

And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

John 1:34 niv

I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

John 1:34 esv

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

John 1:34 nlt

I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God. "

John 1 verses

John 1 34 Meaning

John the Baptist, having witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus as a divine sign, unequivocally declares Jesus' unique identity as "the Son of God." This statement serves as his direct, authoritative testimony, affirming Jesus' divine nature, pre-existence, and special relationship with God the Father, distinguishing Him as more than just a prophet or the Messiah but as essentially divine.

John 1 34 Context

This verse is the climax of John the Baptist's public testimony about Jesus immediately following Jesus' baptism. In the broader context of John 1, the prologue (John 1:1-18) establishes Jesus as the divine Logos ("the Word"), who was with God and was God. John the Baptist is introduced as the divinely appointed witness whose mission is to bear witness to the Light (Jesus). Verses 19-28 detail John's explicit denial of being the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, emphasizing his role as "a voice crying out in the wilderness." In John 1:29, he points to Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Prior to verse 34, John reveals the sign he was given by God: "The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit" (John 1:33). Having witnessed this precise sign, John’s declaration in verse 34 is not a mere opinion but a divinely commissioned affirmation. For the first-century Jewish audience, "Son of God" could have multiple meanings, but in this Gospel, John pushes it toward the unique, ontological deity of Jesus, setting the stage for future debates and Jesus' own self-identification throughout the book.

John 1 34 Word analysis

• And (Greek: kai): Serves as a connective, linking this climactic statement directly to John's previous experience (seeing the Spirit descend) and commission (John 1:33), emphasizing the logical and divinely ordained progression of his witness.

• I have seen (Greek: heōraka): From horao, "to see." The perfect tense signifies a completed action with lasting results. John witnessed the Spirit's descent and lingering (John 1:32-33). This is not mere observation, but a divinely attested eyewitness account that provided John with certainty and understanding, validating his subsequent proclamation.

• and have borne witness (Greek: kai memartyreka): From martyreo, "to bear witness." Also in the perfect tense, indicating that his act of witnessing is finished, firm, and authoritative, a settled truth presented as evidence. This is the fulfillment of his calling (John 1:7). His testimony is grounded in direct divine revelation.

• that this is (Greek: hoti houtos estin): Houtos ("this one") directly points to Jesus. Estin ("is") asserts a definitive fact, a declaration of truth. This highlights the clear and unmistakable identification of Jesus.

• the Son of God (Greek: ho Huios tou Theou):

  • Son of God: In a broader Old Testament context, "sons of God" could refer to angelic beings, kings of Israel, or even the nation of Israel. However, in John's Gospel, particularly following the prologue's depiction of the Logos as fully God and unique Son (John 1:1-3, 18), this title moves beyond mere adoptive sonship, messianic king, or a specially favored human. It denotes Jesus' unique, essential divine relationship and shared nature with God the Father. It is a title signifying His deity, uniqueness, and pre-existence.
  • The (ho): The use of the definite article ("the Son") is crucial, pointing to the unique Son, not merely a son among many. It sets Jesus apart as singularly God's Son in a way no other could be.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I have seen and have borne witness": This pairing emphasizes the credibility and authority of John's proclamation. His testimony is rooted in a specific divine experience and is delivered as a divinely sanctioned truth. This validates Jesus' identity through a recognized prophet chosen by God for this specific purpose.
  • "that this is the Son of God": This phrase serves as the definitive identification of Jesus. It is a foundational declaration of His ontological identity, revealing His unique divine relationship and true nature to the world. It provides the crucial theological framework for understanding all of Jesus' subsequent actions and teachings.

John 1 34 Bonus section

• The declaration "the Son of God" serves as a counterpoint to the temptations of identifying Jesus as merely a prophet or simply the Messiah. It points to a unique, pre-existent, and divine status that would be further explored and affirmed throughout John's Gospel.
• This verse highlights the Trinitarian activity at Jesus' baptism, even before explicit Trinitarian doctrine is fully developed. The Father gives the sign, the Spirit descends, and the Son's identity is revealed and attested by a human witness, reflecting a cohesive divine plan.
• John the Baptist's unwavering focus away from himself and onto Jesus, culminating in this profound declaration, serves as an example of humble service and accurate divine witnessing for all believers. His testimony provides undeniable proof to all who heard him and subsequently read John's Gospel.

John 1 34 Commentary

John 1:34 encapsulates the culmination of John the Baptist's God-given mission: to authoritatively identify Jesus. Having received a specific divine instruction regarding the Spirit's descent, John's prior observations lead to this profound declaration. "The Son of God" in John's Gospel is a profound title. While it could resonate with Jewish messianic expectations, here it carries the full weight of Jesus' inherent divinity, as established in the Gospel's prologue (John 1:1, 18). John's testimony, grounded in a witnessed sign rather than human speculation, therefore, offers a foundational and credible revelation of Jesus' unique relationship with God. This divine validation through John the Baptist ensures that from the very outset of His public ministry, Jesus' true identity is unmistakably declared as belonging to the divine realm, inviting faith and demanding a response. This verse serves as a crucial theological bridge, connecting prophecy, direct divine revelation, and the authoritative proclamation of God's chosen forerunner regarding the very essence of who Jesus is.