John 1:32

32 And John bore witness, saying, I beheld the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, 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 He it is of whom I said, A man comes after me who takes a place before me, because he *was* before me;

31 and I knew him not; but that he might be manifested to Israel, therefore have I come baptising with water.

32 And John bore witness, saying, I beheld the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptise with water, *he* said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is who baptises with [the] Holy Spirit.

34 And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God.