John 1:33

33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

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 I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.

33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. ”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.