1 John 5:6

KJV

¶ This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G3778} is {G2076} he that came {G2064} by {G1223} water {G5204} and {G2532} blood {G129}, even Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}; not {G3756} by {G1722} water {G5204} only {G3440}, but {G235} by {G1722} water {G5204} and {G2532} blood {G129}. And {G2532} it is {G2076} the Spirit {G4151} that beareth witness {G3140}, because {G3754} the Spirit {G4151} is {G2076} truth {G225}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is the one who came by means of water and blood, Yeshua the Messiah — not with water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.

American Standard Version

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 5:6 is a pivotal declaration affirming the complete and undeniable reality of Jesus Christ's identity and saving work. It asserts that Jesus came not by water alone, but by both water and blood, signifying the inseparable unity of His public ministry (often associated with His baptism) and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The verse further emphasizes that the Holy Spirit provides unwavering testimony to this truth, underscoring the divine validation of Jesus' person and work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the concluding section of 1 John, where the Apostle John consolidates his arguments regarding the certainty of Christian faith and the nature of true belief. Following his discussion of God's commands and the love for fellow believers in [1 John 4](/1_john/4 "1 John 4 - God is Love"), John pivots to the core of Christian confession: the person of Jesus Christ. The preceding verses in [1 John 5:1-5](/1_john/5-1-5 "1 John 5:1-15 - Faith Overcomes the World") establish that those who believe in Jesus as the Christ are born of God and overcome the world. Verse 6 then provides the foundational truth of *who* this Christ is, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion of the threefold witness (Spirit, water, and blood) in [1 John 5:7-8](/1_john/5-7-8 "1 John 5:7-8 - The Three Witnesses"). John's repetitive and emphatic language ("not by water only, but by water and blood") highlights the critical importance of this truth for his audience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John was writing to a Christian community facing internal challenges from false teachers, often identified as proto-Gnostics, specifically a group associated with Cerinthus. These heretics sought to separate the divine "Christ-spirit" from the human "Jesus." They contended that the divine Christ descended upon the man Jesus at His baptism (the "water") but departed from Him before His crucifixion, thus denying the true incarnation and the salvific efficacy of His physical death. This theological error, known as Docetism (from the Greek *dokeo*, "to seem"), suggested that Jesus only *seemed* to suffer and die, undermining the reality of the atonement. John's strong affirmation in [1 John 5:6](/1_john/5-6 "1 John 5:6 - Jesus Came by Water and Blood") directly counters this heresy, insisting on the full, indivisible union of divinity and humanity in Jesus Christ throughout His entire earthly existence, from the inauguration of His ministry to His atoning death.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes woven through [1 John](/1_john "The First Epistle of John") and particularly evident in this verse include the **reality of the incarnation** and the **atoning work of Christ**. John consistently emphasizes that Jesus Christ was fully human and fully divine, a truth vital for understanding salvation. The phrase "came by water and blood" directly addresses the historical reality of Jesus' life and death, countering any Gnostic attempts to spiritualize away His physical existence or the efficacy of His suffering. Another crucial theme is the **testimony of the Holy Spirit**. The Spirit's witness serves as divine confirmation of Jesus' identity and mission, providing an internal assurance to believers and an external validation of the gospel truth. This aligns with John's broader emphasis on the Spirit as the "Spirit of truth" in [John 14:17](/john/14-17 "John 14:17 - The Spirit of Truth") and [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit Guides into All Truth"), who guides believers into all truth and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come or go" in a wide variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In the context of Jesus, it denotes His arrival, His advent, or His entrance into human history. It implies a deliberate, purposeful coming from God, emphasizing the reality of His physical presence and active ministry on earth, not merely a spiritual manifestation.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** Of uncertain derivation, this term refers to "blood" literally (of men or animals) but is used figuratively and specially to denote the atoning blood of Christ. It carries the implication of bloodshed and, by extension, the sacrificial death that brings about expiation and redemption. In this verse, it specifically points to Jesus' crucifixion as the means of salvation.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** Derived from *alēthēs* (true), this word means "truth" or "verity." When applied to the Spirit, it signifies the Holy Spirit's inherent nature as the embodiment of truth, incapable of falsehood or deception. His witness is therefore absolutely reliable, authentic, and foundational to understanding God's revelation and the person of Jesus Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ;":** This opening clause directly identifies Jesus Christ as the one who "came" into the world, emphasizing the historical reality of His advent. The phrase "by water and blood" serves as a concise summary of His earthly ministry and saving work. "Water" is widely understood to refer to His baptism, marking the public inauguration of His ministry and His identification with humanity. "Blood" unequivocally points to His sacrificial death on the cross, the means by which He secured salvation and cleansing for sins. The use of "by" (G1223, *diá*) here denotes the channel or means through which He came, emphasizing the full scope of His incarnate reality.
* **"not by water only, but by water and blood.":** This emphatic repetition serves as a direct refutation of the Docetic heresy. John explicitly states that Jesus' saving work was not merely initiated by His baptism (water) but was fully consummated by His atoning death (blood). The adversative conjunction "but" (G235, *allá*) highlights the contrast and the crucial necessity of both elements. It underscores the inseparable nature of Jesus' public ministry and His ultimate sacrifice, affirming the completeness of His redemptive work and the indivisible unity of His person throughout His earthly life.
* **"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.":** This final clause introduces the divine validation of Jesus' identity and work. The Holy Spirit (G4151, *pneûma*) is presented as the one who "beareth witness" (G3140, *martyréō*), providing authoritative testimony to the truth about Jesus. The reason for the Spirit's reliable witness is immediately provided: "because the Spirit is truth" (G225, *alḗtheia*). This statement establishes the Spirit's inherent nature as the very essence of truth, making His testimony infallible and utterly trustworthy. The Spirit's witness confirms the historical reality of Jesus' coming "by water and blood" and the theological significance of these events.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent in the phrase "by water and blood," which appears three times, emphasizing the crucial nature of this dual coming and directly refuting the "water only" heresy. This repetition creates a strong sense of **emphasis** and certainty. The construction "not by water only, but by water and blood" is an example of **antithesis**, contrasting the false teaching with the true doctrine and highlighting the indispensable role of both aspects of Jesus' work. The verse functions as a powerful **theological assertion**, a declarative statement of fundamental Christian truth. Furthermore, the final declaration, "because the Spirit is truth," serves as a **logical substantiation**, providing the foundational reason for the Spirit's authoritative witness and reinforcing the reliability of the divine testimony.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First John 5:6 profoundly impacts Christian theology by solidifying the doctrine of Christ's full humanity and deity, essential for the efficacy of His atonement. It underscores that Jesus' saving work was not a mere spiritual illusion but a tangible, historical reality, encompassing both His public identification with humanity at baptism and His physical, atoning death on the cross. The Spirit's witness serves as the divine seal on these truths, ensuring believers of the absolute reliability of the Gospel message and providing an inner conviction that grounds their faith. This verse is a bulwark against any attempts to diminish the reality of the incarnation or the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, affirming the robust foundation of Christian hope and salvation.

* [Matthew 3:16-17](/matthew/3-16-17 "Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus' Baptism and the Father's Voice")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Cleansing by Blood")
* [John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit's Witness to Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First John 5:6 calls believers to ground their faith in the historical, tangible reality of Jesus Christ's life and death, not in abstract ideas or fleeting spiritual experiences. In a world full of shifting truths and competing narratives, this verse offers an anchor: our salvation is rooted in the verifiable events of Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, attested by the infallible Holy Spirit. This should instill profound assurance, reminding us that our forgiveness and new life are not based on our feelings or performance, but on Christ's complete and perfect work. It also challenges us to discern truth from error, equipping us to stand firm against any teaching that undermines the full person and work of Jesus or the authority of the Spirit's testimony. We are called to live out the implications of this truth, confident in the Spirit's ongoing work within us, guiding us into deeper understanding and empowering us to bear witness to the same Christ who came by water and blood.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the historical reality of Jesus' "coming by water and blood" strengthen your faith and assurance of salvation?**
* **In what ways does the Holy Spirit "bear witness" to the truth of Jesus Christ in your life today?**
* **What false teachings or contemporary ideas might subtly diminish the full humanity or deity of Jesus, and how can 1 John 5:6 help you counter them?**

### FAQ

**What is the meaning of "water and blood" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "water and blood" in [1 John 5:6](/1_john/5-6 "1 John 5:6 - Jesus Came by Water and Blood") refers to two pivotal aspects of Jesus' earthly ministry and saving work. "Water" is widely interpreted as signifying Jesus' baptism, which marked the public inauguration of His ministry and His identification with humanity. At His baptism, the Father's voice and the Holy Spirit's descent publicly affirmed His divine Sonship (e.g., [Matthew 3:16-17](/matthew/3-16-17 "Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus' Baptism")). "Blood" unequivocally points to His sacrificial death on the cross, the means by which He secured atonement and cleansing for sins. This interpretation directly counters early heresies (like Docetism) that denied the reality of Jesus' physical suffering or separated the divine Christ from the human Jesus. Some scholars also note the literal outflow of water and blood from Jesus' side when pierced on the cross ([John 19:34](/john/19-34 "John 19:34 - Jesus' Side Pierced")), which serves as a powerful physical testament to the reality of His death and the completion of His work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 5:6 offers a profound Christ-centered fulfillment by emphasizing the historical and theological reality of Jesus' entire redemptive journey. The "water" speaks to His baptism, where Jesus, though sinless, identified with humanity and inaugurated His public ministry, fulfilling righteousness as the Son of God (cf. [Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills Righteousness")). This act prefigured His complete immersion into the human condition, culminating in His identification with our sin on the cross. The "blood" points directly to His atoning death, the ultimate act of self-sacrifice that cleanses humanity from sin and reconciles us to God (cf. [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Jesus, as the Lamb of God, shed His precious blood to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), establishing the New Covenant (cf. [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). The Spirit's witness confirms that Jesus' coming by both water and blood was not an illusion but the concrete, saving work of God incarnate, ensuring that our faith is grounded in the historical person and finished work of Christ, the very "truth" that the Spirit embodies and proclaims (cf. [John 16:13-14](/john/16-13-14 "John 16:13-14 - The Spirit Glorifies Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

John 15:26

¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Mark 14:24

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

John 14:17

[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Revelation 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.