BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 1› Verse 32

John 1:32

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.
John 1:32 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me.
31And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
32And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.
33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
34And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.
35Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples;
← John 1:31John 1:33 →
← Full Chapter 1 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And John bare record, etc.] The same day that he said the above things, and at the same time: saying, I saw the Spirit; that is, of God, as is said in (<400316>Matthew 3:16) and which Nonnus here expresses; and the Ethiopic version reads, “the Holy Ghost”, descending from heaven like a dove; at the time of his baptism; see Gill “<400316>Matthew 3:16”. And it abode upon him; for some time; so long as that John had a full sight of it, and so was capable of giving a perfect account of it, and bearing a certain and distinct testimony to it.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Bare record - Gave testimony. I saw the Spirit ... - See the notes at Matthew 3:16-17. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:32 John the Baptist’s second testimony (see 1:19-23) told what happened when Jesus was baptized. • In the Old Testament, kings and prophets were anointed with the Holy Spirit, but these anointings were temporary and tied to a particular office or occasion. By contrast, with the Spirit’s resting on him, Jesus’ anointing was permanent (see 3:34).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I saw: Joh 5:32; Mat 3:16; Mar 1:10; Luk 3:22 John 1:33”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read John 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification