John 1:19-36

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on John 1:19-36

19And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
20He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
24Then the Pharisees who had been sent
25asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
27He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’
31I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”
32Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
33I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
— John 1:19-36

Related Resources from Heartlight

He is the One
Illustration of John 1:31-33 NLT

Illustration of John 1:31-33 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,] "I did not recognize [Jesus] as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'"

Not Seeking the Spotlight
Illustration of John 1:19-21 NLT

Illustration of John 1:19-21 NLT -- This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah." "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No."

Real Places, Real People, Real Savior
Illustration of John 1:26-28 NLT

Illustration of John 1:26-28 NLT -- John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal." This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Eyes Opened
Illustration of John 1:31-32 NLT

Illustration of John 1:31-32 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,]  "I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him."

He Is the Chosen One of God
Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT

Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."

Pointing the Way, Clearing the Path
Illustration of John 1:22-23 NLT

Illustration of John 1:22-23 NLT -- [The people sent by the Jewish leaders to John the Baptizer said,] "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!'"

The Chosen One of God
Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT

Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT -- [John the Baptizer continued,]  "I didn't know he [Jesus]  was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."

What Right Do You Have to Baptize?
Illustration of John 1:24-25 NLT

Illustration of John 1:24-25 NLT -- Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked [John the Baptizer], "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?"

They Followed Jesus!
Illustration of John 1:35-37 NLT

Illustration of John 1:35-37 NLT -- The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

He is Greater by Far
Illustration of John 1:30 NLT

Illustration of John 1:30 NLT -- [About Jesus, John the Baptizer said,] "He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"

Lamb of God
Illustration of John 1:29 NLT

Illustration of John 1:29 NLT -- The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Cross References for John 1:19-36

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.