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In this lesson:
John the Baptist and the Lamb of God. Study Tip: Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points. Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, it is a clue that God considers them important. Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning. |
Jesus, the Lamb of God.
By American artist Del Parsons. |
Who were the -
Levites -
A Jewish religious order from the tribe of Levi (sons of Levi). From the age of twenty-five until fifty, male Levites served as assistants to the Temple priests (Numbers 3:5-9; 8:14-15;8:19; 8:24-25; Deuteronomy 18:5-7). They were everything from doorkeepers and musicians to "officers and judges." They read the Mosaic Law to the people during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:9-11) and taught Judaism (Deuteronomy 33:10; 2 Chronicles 17:8-9; Ezekiel 44:23). Levites were also responsible for cleaning and guarding the Temple, preparing the showbread, helping the priest sacrifice animals, and examining lepers, among other chores (1 Chronicles 23:3-5; 23:24-32). To prepare for their duties, Levites cleansed themselves and their clothes, shaved all their body hair, and made an animal sacrifice (Numbers 8:6-8). As compensation for their service, they received tithes (Numbers 18:21). From this tithe, they turned over ten percent to the priests (Numbers 18:26).
Pharisees' -
One of four Jewish religious sects, along with the Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. Pharisee is a Hebrew word meaning the separated ones." They were a legalistic party of religious leaders who avoided anything non-Jewish and studied and lived by the Torah (the Mosaic Law). They strictly, but often hypocritically, kept the Law of Moses and the "tradition of the elders" (Matthew 15:2). They were a dominant force in Jewish society, and all religious ceremonies, prayers, and sacrifices were performed according to their decrees. The Pharisees believed in God, the authority of the Scriptures, the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2), angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8), but they placed their own religious rules above God's. They continually added more and more of their own burdensome dictates on their followers to the point where true faith was lost. They anticipated the Messiah's arrival but expected him to be a great military/political leader. The Pharisees were good at spinning the truth and finding fault in others and were so caught up in following the minute details of Jewish law that when Christ arrived; they didn't recognize Him. They refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah even though they knew He performed "many miracles" (John 11:47) and even witnessed some firsthand (Matthew 12:9-14; 21:14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 5:24-26; 6:6-11; Luke 14:2-4). They fasted twice a week (Luke 18:10-12) and considered themselves more devout than other Jews. Yet, few Pharisees were truly religious, and Jesus called them hypocrites on many occasions (Matthew 15:7-8; 22:18; 23:23-35; Luke 12:1). Their jealousy, pride, and anger towards Jesus turned to hatred, and their hatred led them to call for the crucifixion of t very Messiah they had been waiting for. To rid themselves of Jesus, the anti-Roman Pharisees even "took counsel with their bitter foes and pro-Roman Herodians" (Mark 3:6). In Jesus' time, there were approximately six thousand Pharisees in Palestine.
Levites -
A Jewish religious order from the tribe of Levi (sons of Levi). From the age of twenty-five until fifty, male Levites served as assistants to the Temple priests (Numbers 3:5-9; 8:14-15;8:19; 8:24-25; Deuteronomy 18:5-7). They were everything from doorkeepers and musicians to "officers and judges." They read the Mosaic Law to the people during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:9-11) and taught Judaism (Deuteronomy 33:10; 2 Chronicles 17:8-9; Ezekiel 44:23). Levites were also responsible for cleaning and guarding the Temple, preparing the showbread, helping the priest sacrifice animals, and examining lepers, among other chores (1 Chronicles 23:3-5; 23:24-32). To prepare for their duties, Levites cleansed themselves and their clothes, shaved all their body hair, and made an animal sacrifice (Numbers 8:6-8). As compensation for their service, they received tithes (Numbers 18:21). From this tithe, they turned over ten percent to the priests (Numbers 18:26).
Pharisees' -
One of four Jewish religious sects, along with the Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. Pharisee is a Hebrew word meaning the separated ones." They were a legalistic party of religious leaders who avoided anything non-Jewish and studied and lived by the Torah (the Mosaic Law). They strictly, but often hypocritically, kept the Law of Moses and the "tradition of the elders" (Matthew 15:2). They were a dominant force in Jewish society, and all religious ceremonies, prayers, and sacrifices were performed according to their decrees. The Pharisees believed in God, the authority of the Scriptures, the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2), angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8), but they placed their own religious rules above God's. They continually added more and more of their own burdensome dictates on their followers to the point where true faith was lost. They anticipated the Messiah's arrival but expected him to be a great military/political leader. The Pharisees were good at spinning the truth and finding fault in others and were so caught up in following the minute details of Jewish law that when Christ arrived; they didn't recognize Him. They refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah even though they knew He performed "many miracles" (John 11:47) and even witnessed some firsthand (Matthew 12:9-14; 21:14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 5:24-26; 6:6-11; Luke 14:2-4). They fasted twice a week (Luke 18:10-12) and considered themselves more devout than other Jews. Yet, few Pharisees were truly religious, and Jesus called them hypocrites on many occasions (Matthew 15:7-8; 22:18; 23:23-35; Luke 12:1). Their jealousy, pride, and anger towards Jesus turned to hatred, and their hatred led them to call for the crucifixion of t very Messiah they had been waiting for. To rid themselves of Jesus, the anti-Roman Pharisees even "took counsel with their bitter foes and pro-Roman Herodians" (Mark 3:6). In Jesus' time, there were approximately six thousand Pharisees in Palestine.
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 1:19-34
"Behold the Lamb of God" 19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. 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. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. |
Margin notes:
"This is the record of John." (1:19) - Means, "This is the testimony of John (the Baptist)." "Jerusalem." (1:19) - Hebrew for "foundation of Shalem" (peace). Jerusalem has also been called Mount Zion, David's city, Ariel (Isaiah 29:1), Salem, or the Holy City. It is located fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean and sits in the Judaean Mountains approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area and, in Jesus' time, was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion. The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts mention the city going back to the 19th century BC. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. The original city covered only about eight acres but was continually being rebuilt and expanded. Many early Christians had to flee Jerusalem or face persecution. Through the centuries, Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome (who destroyed the city and murdered its citizens in AD 70). Rome rebuilt the city, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to the pagan god Jupiter. In AD 614, the Persians captured the city and again Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099 and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. "And he confessed." (1:20) - "And he said." "Christ." (1:20) - A Greek word meaning "Messiah" or "anointed one." "Elias." (1:21) - Elias (Greek for Elijah) is perhaps the most famous of Israel's prophets, for no other is mentioned as often in the New Testament. Elias came from Tishbeh in Gilead, was devoutly religious, and prepared Israel to accept God. After the breakup of King David's Israel in 931 BC, Elias preached against the growing paganism and idol worship under King Ahab and his gentile wife, Jezebel. Followers of the pagan god Baal and his wife Ashtoreth sacrificed infants and placed their remains in jars. Elias brought these murderers to justice (I Kings 18:40). He was given the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14; 2:8) and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11) and stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). Here, the priests wanted to know if John was Elias, whose arrival was prophesized in Malachi 4:5-6 four hundred and fifty years earlier. To learn more, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46 and 2 Kings 1-2. "Art thou that prophet." (1:21) - Jews were expecting the arrival of a prophet as foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-22. They thought John might be that prophet. "Esaias." (1:21) - The Greek name for Isaiah. Esaias (meaning Jehovah is salvation) was an Old Testament prophet who died in 681 BC. Considered by many as the greatest Jewish prophet, Esias wrote "The Book of the Prophet Isaiah," which spoke out against hypocrisy and idol worship (Isaiah 2:6-9). In response to his warnings, people made insincere religious sacrifices and prayers (Isaiah 1:10-17; 29:13) but refused to repent. Esaias warned that God would punish the Jews for their disobedience (Isaiah 3:1-26). Sure enough, Israel was destroyed by Babylon, and its people carried away as slaves. Esaias miraculously prophesized that King Cyrus of Persia would allow the abducted Jewish people to return to Jerusalem eighty years before they were taken captive and 150 years before Cyrus ruled. He also predicted that Cyrus would allow the rebuilding of the Temple before it had been destroyed. He prophesied the fall of Babylon one hundred years before it rose and the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14) seven hundred years before Christ's birth. Esaias is quoted over fifty times in the New Testament. "The voice of one crying in the wilderness." (1:23) - John is quoting the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3). Malachi 3:1, written almost 500 years before the birth of John, predicted that a messenger would "prepare the way" for Jesus. "They which were sent were of the Pharisees." (1:24) - Since the Pharisees were charged with investigating false prophets, they wanted to know more about John the Baptist. "Why baptizest thou then." (1:25) - New converts to Judaism were baptized to rid them of the contamination of their former Gentile lives. John the Baptist proclaimed that even Jews needed cleansing. "I am not worthy to unloose." (1:27) - "I am not worthy to untie." "Bethabara." (1:28) - Also called Bethany, it is a small village on the east bank of the Jordan River. Not to be confused with the more commonly known Bethany located near the Mount of Olives. "Taketh away the sin of the world." (1:29) - By suffering on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sins, as predicted in Isaiah 53:11 700 years before the crucifixion. Jesus died to save us. "He was before me." (1:30) - Since John was six months older than Jesus, he is telling us that the Messiah existed before he was born. "Made manifest to Israel." (1:31) - "Revealed to Israel." "John bare record." (1:32) - "John gave testimony." "It abode upon him." (1:32) - "It remained on Him." "This is the Son of God." (1:34) - The Gospel of John repeatedly tells us that Jesus is the Son of God. |
You can read more about the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:1-17 (lesson 4); Mark 1:2-8 (lesson 63); and Luke 3:1-22.
New Living Translation
John 1:19-34
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This as John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?"
20 He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."
21 "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?"
"No," he replied.
"Are you the Prophet we are expecting?"
"No."
22 "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"
23 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!'"
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent
25 asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?"
26 John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.
27 Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal."
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
Jesus, the Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 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.'
31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel."
32 Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.
33 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.'
34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This as John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?"
20 He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."
21 "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?"
"No," he replied.
"Are you the Prophet we are expecting?"
"No."
22 "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"
23 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!'"
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent
25 asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?"
26 John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.
27 Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal."
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
Jesus, the Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 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.'
31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel."
32 Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.
33 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.'
34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." (1:23)
"John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." (1:26-27)
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (1:29)
"John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." (1:26-27)
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (1:29)
Today's Question:
1. Why did John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God?" (1:29)
Feel free to forward these lessons to family and friends. If you know anyone interested in receiving them directly, let us know.
1. Why did John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God?" (1:29)
Feel free to forward these lessons to family and friends. If you know anyone interested in receiving them directly, let us know.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In the Old Testament, a lamb was a symbol of innocence. One was sacrificed twice a day in the Temple in a never-ending ceremony to atone for the sins of the people (Exodus 29:38-39; Numbers 28:1-4). By dying on the cross, Jesus became the final and permanent sacrifice paying the price for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). While the sacrificial lamb was provided by men, Jesus was provided by God, and that made Him the perfect offering (1 Peter 1:18-19). Our sins are now forgiven. All we need to do is accept Jesus' sacrificial gift.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would be "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7) to pay the penalty for mankind's sins.
Application thought for the day:
When praying, seek God, not an answer from God.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke