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JOHN 1:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 1:30John 1:32
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Then John gave this testimony: 'I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him' — the Baptist recounts the baptism vision, granting him empirical confirmation of Jesus' identity. The descent of the Spirit as a dove connects to both Genesis (the Spirit hovering over the waters) and Noah (the dove's return). That the Spirit "remained" (menō) suggests permanent abiding rather than transient anointing, indicating Jesus as the Spirit's eternal dwelling place.

Church Fathers on John 1:31

After this testimony, Jesus is seen coming to John, not only persevering in his confession, but also advanced in goodness: as is intimated by the second day. Wherefore it is said, The next day John sees Jesus coming to him. Long before this, the Mother of Jesus, as soon as she had conceived Him, went to see the mother of John then pregnant; and as soon as the sound of Mary’s salutation reached the ears of Elisabeth, John leaped in the womb: but now the Baptist himself after…

Origen · 3rd century

Or; Matthew relates directly Christ’s coming to His baptism, John His coming a second time subsequent to His baptism, as appears from what follows: I saw the Spirit descending, &c. The Evangelists have divided the periods of the history between them; Matthew passing over the part before John’s imprisonment, and hastening to that event; John chiefly dwelling on what took place before the imprisonment. Thus he says, The next day John sees Jesus coming to him. But why did He…

Chrysostom · 4th century

If the Lamb of God is innocent, and John is the lamb, must he not be innocent? But all men come of that stock of which David sings sorrowing, Behold, I was conceived in wickedness. He then alone was the Lamb, who was not thus conceived; for He was not conceived in wickedness, nor in sin did His mother bear Him in her womb, Whom a virgin conceived, a virgin brought forth, because that in faith she conceived, and in faith received.

Augustine · 4th century
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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