John 1:36 kjv

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John 1:36 nkjv

And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

John 1:36 niv

When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

John 1:36 esv

and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

John 1:36 nlt

As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!"

John 1 verses

John 1 36 Meaning

John 1:36 captures a pivotal moment where John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus again, decisively identifies Him as "the Lamb of God." This declaration is a powerful call to attention, proclaiming Jesus' divine appointment as the unique sacrificial provision by God to redeem humanity, reinforcing His ultimate mission already alluded to in John 1:29 to take away the sin of the world. It marks a clear theological statement regarding Jesus' atoning work and serves to direct John's own disciples toward Christ.

John 1 36 Context

John 1:36 is found at the beginning of the Gospel of John, following John the Baptist's direct testimony about Jesus. In the preceding verses (John 1:19-28), John clarifies his identity to a delegation from Jerusalem, stating he is not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but rather a voice preparing the way for the Lord. Then, in John 1:29, John the Baptist first publicly proclaims Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," indicating Jesus' atoning purpose. Verse 36 marks John's second, highly significant declaration of this title, this time directly to two of his own disciples. The immediate context shows that this repeated proclamation effectively transfers the allegiance of some of John's disciples to Jesus, initiating their discipleship journey with Him (Jn 1:37-40). Historically and culturally, the phrase "Lamb of God" would resonate deeply with a Jewish audience, immediately recalling the Passover lamb, daily temple sacrifices, and the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the suffering servant, implying a messianic figure who would bring salvation through sacrificial atonement, a profound shift from political or military expectations of the Messiah.

John 1 36 Word analysis

• And (Kai, καὶ): A simple conjunction connecting this event to the preceding one. It implies continuity, suggesting that this particular observation and declaration is part of John the Baptist's ongoing mission to testify about Jesus.
• looking at (embolépō, ἐμβλέψας): From en (in, into) and blépō (to look, see). This is more than a casual glance; it implies an intense, penetrating gaze. John looked intently or fixedly at Jesus, indicating purposeful observation and spiritual recognition. It signifies an authoritative and informed judgment of who Jesus is, perhaps reinforced by previous revelation or shared experience, such as Jesus' baptism.
• Jesus (Iēsoú, Ἰησοῦ): The historical person of Jesus, God incarnate. John recognizes Him clearly.
• as He walked (peripatoúnta, περιπατοῦντα): From peripateó (to walk about, live). This highlights Jesus' ordinary, human presence and accessibility. He wasn't performing a miracle or an extraordinary feat at that moment; He was simply going about His daily activity. John pointed to Jesus as He was, revealing His inherent identity.
• he said (légei, λέγει): John the Baptist's utterance. The present tense in Greek emphasizes the immediacy and significance of the declaration as it happens. John’s authority as a divinely appointed prophet lends immense weight to his words.
• "Behold! (Idoú, Ἰδοὺ)": An interjection meaning "See!" or "Look!" It functions as an imperative, demanding immediate and focused attention from his hearers. It’s often used in Scripture to introduce something new, profound, or vitally important that is being revealed or highlighted, signifying a revelation that warrants specific observation and contemplation.
• the Lamb (ho amnós, ὁ ἀμνὸς): Amnós refers to a sacrificial lamb, often associated with innocence, purity, and sacrifice. This specific Greek term appears consistently in John and Revelation. It immediately evokes profound Old Testament imagery:
  • The Passover Lamb (Ex 12) whose blood protected Israel from death and secured their freedom.
  • The sacrificial lambs of the Levitical system (Leviticus, Numbers) offered for atonement and fellowship.
  • The prophetic imagery of Isaiah 53, describing the Suffering Servant led "like a lamb to the slaughter" to bear the sins of many.
• of God (tou Theoú, τοῦ Θεοῦ): This dative construction is crucial. It means the Lamb is "from God," "belonging to God," "provided by God," and ultimately "for God's purposes." It underscores divine initiative, ownership, and authorization. It emphasizes that this is not merely an earthly, human-initiated sacrifice, but a perfect, God-appointed means of redemption, demonstrating God’s profound love and solution for humanity's sin. It sets this Lamb apart from all others—it is uniquely His.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "looking at Jesus as He walked": Signifies intentional discernment and recognition by John the Baptist, not based on fleeting emotion, but on divine revelation of who Jesus truly is, even in His mundane human activity. It underscores John's authoritative witness.
  • "Behold, the Lamb of God!": This is the climactic theological declaration. "Behold!" arrests attention for the monumental identity revealed. "The Lamb of God" powerfully consolidates the sacrificial, atoning, and divinely ordained nature of Jesus' person and mission. It is a concise summary of Jesus' purpose in salvation history, connecting Old Testament types and prophecies directly to His incarnate presence.

John 1 36 Bonus section

The double witness of John the Baptist identifying Jesus as "the Lamb of God" (Jn 1:29, 36) is a deliberate literary device in John's Gospel to underscore the pivotal nature of this identification. While the first declaration includes the purpose ("who takes away the sin of the world"), the second, shorter one, functions as a direct call to action, compelling those present to fix their gaze on Jesus, just as John did. The emphasis is on the identity itself, encouraging an immediate response of discipleship and allegiance. This concise identification echoes Old Testament prophetic signs, where a key object or figure is pointed out with "Behold!" signifying its divine importance and ultimate role in salvation history.

John 1 36 Commentary

John the Baptist's repetitive declaration, "Behold, the Lamb of God," especially in verse 36, is neither casual nor redundant; it is a profound prophetic statement born of divine revelation and saturated with theological significance. His intense gaze at Jesus, a common man simply walking by, reveals a spiritual sight beyond the physical. It signals to John's disciples that Jesus is the singular object of their hope and the fulfillment of centuries of Messianic longing. The "Lamb of God" title bypasses common Jewish expectations of a conquering political Messiah, pointing instead to a sacrificial, atoning figure. This phrase succinctly communicates that Jesus is God's own unique, perfect provision for dealing with human sin. He is the ultimate fulfillment of all temple sacrifices, the true Passover Lamb whose blood provides freedom from spiritual bondage, and the innocent Servant who bears the world's iniquity, as prophesied by Isaiah. John's pointing out Jesus underscores his humility and primary mission: to bear witness to the light so that others might believe. This second declaration serves as a direct instruction to his own followers, signaling a transfer of spiritual allegiance from himself to Christ, leading them into discipleship with the true Messiah.