John 1:33

33 And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize in water, said to me, On whom thou seest the Spirit coming down [Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit coming down], and dwelling on him, this is he, that baptizeth in the Holy Ghost.

John 1:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:33

And I knew him not
That is, before he came to be baptized by him; when it was secretly suggested to him who he was, and the following signal was given him, to confirm him in it:

but he that sent me to baptize with water;
or "in water"; that is, God; for John's mission was from God, as in ( John 1:6 ) , and his baptism from heaven; he had a divine warrant and commission for what he did:

the same said unto me;
either by an articulate voice, or by a divine impulse on his mind, or by the revelation of the Spirit:

upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him,
the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost;
that is, the Messiah; (See Gill on Matthew 3:11), (See Gill on Matthew 3:16).

John 1:33 In-Context

31 And I knew him not, but that he be showed in Israel, therefore I came baptizing in water.

32 And John bare witnessing, and said, I saw the Spirit coming down as a culver from heaven, and dwelled on him. [And John bare witnessing, saying, For I saw the Spirit coming down, as a culver from heaven, and dwelling upon him.]

33 And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize in water, said to me, On whom thou seest the Spirit coming down [Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit coming down], and dwelling on him, this is he, that baptizeth in the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw, and bare witnessing, that this is the Son of God.

35 Another day John stood [Again John stood in another day], and two of his disciples;