John 1:32

32 And John bore record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and It abode upon Him.

John 1:32 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:32

And John bare record
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 ( 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 on 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.

John 1:32 In-Context

30 This is He of whom I said, `After me cometh a Man who 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 have I come baptizing with water."

32 And John bore 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 that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.'

34 And I saw and bore record that this is the Son of God."