John 1:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

Complete Jewish Bible:

To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know.

Berean Standard Bible:

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.

American Standard Version:

John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

John^{G2491} answered^{G611} them^{G846}, saying^{G3004}, I^{G1473} baptize^{G907} with^{G1722} water^{G5204}: but^{G1161} there standeth one^{G2476} among^{G3319} you^{G5216}, whom^{G3739} ye^{G5210} know^{G1492} not^{G3756};

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Commentary for John 1:26

John 1:26 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, as it reflects the transition from the old covenant to the new, and the role of John the Baptist as the forerunner to Jesus Christ. In this verse, John the Baptist is addressing a group of priests and Levites sent by the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem to inquire about his identity and the nature of his baptisms.

The historical context of this verse is set in the 1st century Judea, under Roman occupation, where there was a strong expectation for the coming of the Messiah, fueled by prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures. John the Baptist emerges as a prophetic figure, calling people to repentance and offering a baptism of water for the forgiveness of sins, which was a new and somewhat controversial practice.

In the verse, John the Baptist distinguishes his role from that of the coming Messiah. He humbly acknowledges the limitations of his own ministry, stating, "I baptize with water," which symbolizes cleansing and preparation. However, he points beyond himself to someone greater, "but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not." This "one" is Jesus, who will baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit, inaugurating a new era of spiritual renewal and transformation.

The themes present in this verse include the concepts of preparation, humility, and revelation. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance. His humility is evident as he does not claim to be the Messiah but rather directs attention to the coming Christ. The theme of revelation is central as John discloses the presence of Jesus among the people, someone who is currently unknown to them but will soon be revealed as the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This verse sets the stage for the manifestation of Jesus' ministry and the radical shift in spiritual authority and salvation that His presence will bring.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2491
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰωάννης
   Transliteration: Iōánnēs
   Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
6. Strong's Number: G907
   There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βαπτίζω
   Transliteration: baptízō
   Pronunciation: bap-tid'-zo
   Description: from a derivative of βάπτω; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5204
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὕδωρ
   Transliteration: hýdōr
   Pronunciation: hoo'-dat-os
   Description: from the base of ὑετός; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2476
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἵστημι
    Transliteration: hístēmi
    Pronunciation: stah'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3319
    There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέσος
    Transliteration: mésos
    Pronunciation: mes'-os
    Description: from μετά; middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun):--among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5216
    There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῶν
    Transliteration: hymōn
    Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
    Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
    
13. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
14. Strong's Number: G5210
    There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμεῖς
    Transliteration: hymeîs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
    Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1492
    There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἴδω
    Transliteration: eídō
    Pronunciation: i'-do
    Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
    
16. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.