John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
John the Baptist is not just pointing out Jesus; he's declaring Jesus' entire mission in one powerful phrase. The term "Lamb of God" doesn't solely refer to a Passover sacrifice, but encompasses all Old Testament sacrifices, signifying Jesus' ultimate role as the one appointed by God to bear and remove the world's sin.
The day after John the Baptist declared he was not the Messiah, he saw Jesus approaching and proclaimed Him the Lamb of God. This public declaration is Jesus' first appearance in John's Gospel after His baptism and temptation, and it serves to introduce His public ministry and identify Him as the divinely appointed sacrifice for the world's sin, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
John the Baptist doesn't just point to any lamb. He uses a title loaded with meaning, connecting Jesus to ancient sacrifices and prophetic promises.
When John exclaims, 'Behold, the Lamb of God!', he's drawing on a rich tapestry of Old Testament imagery.
More Than Passover
While the Passover lamb was a crucial symbol of God's deliverance from slavery, John's reference goes deeper.
Prophetic Sacrifice
Crucially, he alludes to Isaiah 53, the suffering Servant who would 'bear our iniquities' and be 'led as a lamb to the slaughter.' This wasn't just about remembrance; it was about a future, ultimate sacrifice.
God's Provision
The phrase 'of God' emphasizes that this Lamb isn't man-made or chosen by a committee. This sacrifice is God's own provision for sin, the perfect and sufficient answer to humanity's deepest problem.
John's declaration isn't just that Jesus removes sin; it's about how He accomplishes it – by taking it upon Himself.
The phrase 'who takes away the sin of the world' is packed with profound meaning.
Bearing the Burden
It signifies more than just erasing sin; it implies Jesus actively bears the weight and penalty of our sin. This is the concept of expiation – Jesus steps into our place, absorbing the judgment we deserve.
A Universal Remedy
'The sin of the world' underscores the scope of Jesus' mission. His sacrifice isn't limited to one nation or group; it's an all-encompassing solution for humanity's fallen state.
Present and Active
The present tense 'taketh away' suggests this is not a one-time historical event but a continuous reality. Christ's atoning work, accomplished in the past, is ever-present in its power and efficacy for all who believe.
Understand the original words
amnos · Greek Noun
A sacrificial animal used in the Old Testament, most notably in the Passover and the daily temple offerings, representing atonement and the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of transgressions.
hamartia · Greek Noun
The sum total of all moral offenses, rebellion, and separation from God. In a biblical context, it refers to both the act of missing the mark of God's standard and the inherent brokenness of the human condition.
kosmos · Greek Noun
The entirety of human creation and the global scope of God's redemptive plan. It refers to the fallen state of humanity that is in desperate need of reconciliation with the Creator.
John the Baptist's declaration draws directly from the Old Testament prophecies, particularly Isaiah 53, which described a suffering servant who would bear the sins of the people. This imagery, deeply familiar to his Jewish audience, was a powerful way for John to introduce Jesus not just as a Messiah, but as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sin.
c. 27 AD
Jesus is baptized by John
Jesus comes from Nazareth to the Jordan River and is baptized by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God's Son.
c. 27 AD
Jesus is tempted in the wilderness
After His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil.
c. 27 AD— this verse
John testifies about Jesus
The day after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and proclaims Him to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
c. 27 AD
John identifies Jesus as the Son of God
John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend and remain on Jesus, identifying Him as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and the Son of God.
This passage directly foreshadows the Messiah as a 'lamb led to slaughter,' profoundly influencing John the Baptist's declaration and highlighting Jesus' sacrificial role.
Exodus 12:3-11The Passover lamb, slain to deliver Israel from slavery and death, serves as a foundational type for Jesus, the ultimate Lamb whose blood brings salvation.
1 Peter 2:24This New Testament passage echoes Isaiah's prophecy, explicitly stating that Jesus 'bore our sins in his body on the tree,' connecting His suffering directly to the removal of sin.
1 Corinthians 5:7Paul directly identifies Christ with the Passover lamb, urging believers to celebrate with the 'bread of sincerity and truth,' underscoring Jesus' atoning sacrifice for sin.
Revelation 5:6-14This vision in Revelation powerfully depicts Jesus as 'a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain,' surrounded by heavenly worship for His redemptive work, showing the eternal impact of His sacrifice.
barnesJohn 1:29: "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The next day - The day after the Jews made inquiry whether he was the Christ. Behold the Lamb of God - A "lamb," among the Jews, was killed and eaten at the Passover to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt, Exodus 12:3-11. A lamb was offered in the tabernacle, and afterward in the temple, every morning and evening, as a part of the daily worship, Exodus 29:3…
calvinJohn 1:29-34: "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
- The next day, John seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! 30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who was preferred to me, because he was more excellent than I. 31. And I knew him not; but in order that he might be manifested to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. 32. A…
John the Baptist is not just pointing out Jesus; he's declaring Jesus' entire mission in one powerful phrase. The term "Lamb of God" doesn't solely refer to a Passover sacrifice, but encompasses all Old Testament sacrifices, signifying Jesus' ultimate role as the one appointed by God to bear and remove the world's sin.
The day after John the Baptist declared he was not the Messiah, he saw Jesus approaching and proclaimed Him the Lamb of God. This public declaration is Jesus' first appearance in John's Gospel after His baptism and temptation, and it serves to introduce His public ministry and identify Him as the divinely appointed sacrifice for the world's sin, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
The day after John the Baptist declared he was not the Messiah, he saw Jesus approaching and proclaimed Him the Lamb of God. This public declaration is Jesus' first appearance in John's Gospel after His baptism and temptation, and it serves to introduce His public ministry and identify Him as the divinely appointed sacrifice for the world's sin, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 1:29 is available in the Sola app.
c. 27 AD
Two disciples follow Jesus
Two of John's disciples, Andrew and another unnamed disciple, hear John's testimony and begin to follow Jesus.
"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" — John the Baptist is not just pointing out Jesus; he's declaring Jesus' entire mission in one powerful phrase. The term "Lamb of God" doesn't solely refer to a Passover sacrifice, but encompasses all…
